as in pulsating
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as in pulsing
to expand and contract in a rhythmic manner
the car's stereo speakers throbbing with the song's bass line
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of throbbing
Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 8 Dec. 2025
Whether sharp and stabbing or dull and throbbing, a headache can ruin your day.
—Katherine Cobb-Pitstick, The Conversation, 1 Dec. 2025
Sirāt, an oddly hopeful look at death and the end of the world, set to a throbbing techno beat, was nominated for best casting, cinematography and editing, as well as best production and best sound design.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 26 Nov. 2025
And certainly, many migraine sufferers—though not all—experience a throbbing headache.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 4 Nov. 2025
Rusty wanted to do something stupid, but the calming presence of Billy negated all of Rusty’s throbbing impulses.
—Manuel Muñoz, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2025
Karan Mahajan, New Yorker, 15 Dec. 2025
The song now opens with throbbing synth bass that completely transforms its mood and style.
—Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 13 Nov. 2025
Banff Sunshine boasts that its 12 lifts are the most modern and efficient in Canada, offering access to more than 3,300 skiable acres and its infamous Delirium Dive for heart-throbbing off-piste, off-trail thrills.
—Stephanie Stephens, USA Today, 13 Nov. 2025
Ones where the monster, their creator, or both are possessed by throbbing, animalistic lust.
—Katie Rife, Vulture, 9 Nov. 2025
Their throbbing dance videos are shot in mansions and on yachts.
—Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
Over ominous, throbbing music, the lights start flashing, the tension starts building, and then, finally, Godzilla enters from stage right.
—New Atlas, 24 Oct. 2025
Nothing except my ankle, which was throbbing painfully.
—Literary Hub, 24 Oct. 2025
That’s why my leg is throbbing.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2025
Adjective
Over throbbing synths, the actors shouted declarations into each other’s ears—and additionally communicated with eyes and hands—while a cameraman circled them with a Steadicam.
—Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 8 Dec. 2025
Whether sharp and stabbing or dull and throbbing, a headache can ruin your day.
—Katherine Cobb-Pitstick, The Conversation, 1 Dec. 2025
Sirāt, an oddly hopeful look at death and the end of the world, set to a throbbing techno beat, was nominated for best casting, cinematography and editing, as well as best production and best sound design.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 26 Nov. 2025
And certainly, many migraine sufferers—though not all—experience a throbbing headache.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 4 Nov. 2025
Rusty wanted to do something stupid, but the calming presence of Billy negated all of Rusty’s throbbing impulses.
—Manuel Muñoz, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
The air was throbbing with the sounds of helicopters coming close and pulling away.
—Karan Mahajan, New Yorker, 15 Dec. 2025
The song now opens with throbbing synth bass that completely transforms its mood and style.
—Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 13 Nov. 2025
Banff Sunshine boasts that its 12 lifts are the most modern and efficient in Canada, offering access to more than 3,300 skiable acres and its infamous Delirium Dive for heart-throbbing off-piste, off-trail thrills.
—Stephanie Stephens, USA Today, 13 Nov. 2025
Ones where the monster, their creator, or both are possessed by throbbing, animalistic lust.
—Katie Rife, Vulture, 9 Nov. 2025
Their throbbing dance videos are shot in mansions and on yachts.
—Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
Over ominous, throbbing music, the lights start flashing, the tension starts building, and then, finally, Godzilla enters from stage right.
—New Atlas, 24 Oct. 2025
Nothing except my ankle, which was throbbing painfully.
—Literary Hub, 24 Oct. 2025
That’s why my leg is throbbing.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for throbbing
Adjective
-
To experience the city’s culture at its most pulsating, visit during the annual Carnaval de Limón in October.—
Lydia Price,
Travel + Leisure,
18 Dec. 2025
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The relentlessly pulsating tempo of the record is tailor-made for the most full-throttle parts of 5SOS’ live show.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Marty’s attempt to break out of postwar poverty, for example, feels modern; it’s even set to a pulsing soundtrack full of ’80s–New Wave hits.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
25 Dec. 2025
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The pulsing vocal could be heard from Manchester, to London, to party island Ibiza, often heard in a rendition similar to that of a football chant.—
Kelly Washington,
Refinery29,
22 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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Relevant, heart-palpitating, thoughtful, emotional, tense, thrilling, devastating and joyful.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
4 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Behind them, the device began vibrating.—
Deni Ellis Béchard,
Scientific American,
13 Jan. 2026
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ViberAlert is essentially a smart motorcycle seat insert equipped with vibrating actuators that deliver real-time haptic feedback directly to your backside.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
4 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Broomfield city councilman Kenny Nguyen was appointed to serve House District 33 on Monday night, narrowly beating fellow councilwoman Heidi Henkel in a 16-15 vote.—
Seth Klamann,
Denver Post,
13 Jan. 2026
-
The Bruins won for the fifth time in six games despite going 0 for 6 on the power play a day after beating the Rangers 10-2.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
12 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Throbbing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/throbbing. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.
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