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
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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
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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
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Here, electronic and muscle-driven pulses are more tightly fused.—
Philip Sherburne,
Pitchfork,
13 Apr. 2026
-
The technology is built on electrical muscle stimulation (EMS), a technique that sends low-level electrical pulses to specific muscles to trigger movement.—
Omar Kardoudi
April 13,
New Atlas,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
This element is special as its nucleus vibrates at a very low energy level.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Basically, how fast a sound source vibrates.—
Laura Kiniry,
Popular Science,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
If Portland beats the Sacramento Kings on Sunday, the Blazers will secure their spot in the 7-8 play-in game on Tuesday in Phoenix against the Suns.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 Apr. 2026
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If San Antonio beats Denver, for example, the Spurs would assure themselves of not having to face Oklahoma City or the Nuggets until the Western Conference finals.—
Tim Reynolds,
The Orlando Sentinel,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
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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 21 Apr. 2026.
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