as in pulses
a rhythmic expanding and contracting
I seemed to feel anew the pain of her death with each throb of my heart
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in vibrates
to expand and contract in a rhythmic manner
the car's stereo speakers throbbing with the song's bass line
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of throbs
Daniel Smith, The Atlantic, 27 Feb. 2026
Pain that is not a word throbs in his shoulders, awakens him each morning.
—Rosa Lyster, Harpers Magazine, 6 Jan. 2026
While the game is played across the country, its pulse throbs in Rio.
—Michal Ruprecht, NPR, 28 Dec. 2025
Portugal’s coastline throbs with beach goers and sports enthusiasts.
—Tom Mullen, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
There is expansive Zhong, with 360-degree views of the valley; forbidding Lubra, a tiny riverside hamlet ringed by cliffs; and fortress-like Kagbeni, home to a gompa founded by the 15th-century scholar Tenpai Gyaltsen, which throbs with the sound of the Kali Gandaki.
—Chandrahas Choudhury, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 July 2024
Verb
My boredom typically spurs feelings of frustration, guilt, shame—and long nutritionless spells of goggling, slack-jawed, at celebrity news on my phone while the world throbs around me.
—Daniel Smith, The Atlantic, 27 Feb. 2026
Pain that is not a word throbs in his shoulders, awakens him each morning.
—Rosa Lyster, Harpers Magazine, 6 Jan. 2026
While the game is played across the country, its pulse throbs in Rio.
—Michal Ruprecht, NPR, 28 Dec. 2025
Portugal’s coastline throbs with beach goers and sports enthusiasts.
—Tom Mullen, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
There is expansive Zhong, with 360-degree views of the valley; forbidding Lubra, a tiny riverside hamlet ringed by cliffs; and fortress-like Kagbeni, home to a gompa founded by the 15th-century scholar Tenpai Gyaltsen, which throbs with the sound of the Kali Gandaki.
—Chandrahas Choudhury, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 July 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for throbs
Noun
-
Those pulses can deter or disrupt seizures.—
Marina Kopf,
NBC news,
27 May 2026
-
As normal energy barriers usually block hopfions from forming, the team used ultra-fast femtosecond laser pulses to shock the spin system out of equilibrium.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
26 May 2026
Verb
-
Every night the Dallas Stars host playoff games, the area in and around the American Airlines Center vibrates with activity, commerce and life.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Inside, standing 43 inches tall, a silver speaker from Takahiro Miyashita’s brand TheSoloist vibrates high fidelity through the showroom.—
Samantha Lee
Connect
April 17,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
If Pereira beats Gane and becomes a three-division champion — something no one has done in UFC history — does that crown him the greatest of all time?—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
-
In a fragmented world, clarity beats noise.—
Rolling Stone Culture Council,
Rolling Stone,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
Framed by verdant mountains and hills, the best things to do in Taipei make up a city that pulsates with energy; from the lively sizzle of night markets to the scenic hiking trails of Elephant Mountain.—
Kaila Yu,
Condé Nast Traveler,
27 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Throbs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/throbs. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
