The lights pulsated with the music.
People danced to the pulsating sounds of hip-hop.
Virtually every scene of the movie pulsates with suspense.
Recent Examples on the WebHundreds of high school recruits and former players milled about on the field, some bopping to the pulsating music.—Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2024 Shame pulsates through the introspective track released a month after Curtis’ suicide in March 1980.—Shannon Carlin, TIME, 19 Apr. 2024 Just last week, in Rock Springs, Wyoming, several witnesses saw a weird, pulsating light in the skies over the Green River.—Lucas Ropek / Gizmodo, Quartz, 19 Mar. 2024 Through dynamic cinematography and a pulsating soundtrack, Waves presents an emotional odyssey that reflects on forgiveness and healing, showcasing the indomitable spirit of youth.—Travis Bean, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024 The American duo waged a pulsating third round battle at the PGA Tour’s flagship tournament on Saturday, and had looked on course to head into the final round level at the top before reigning US Open champion Clark chunked his first swing at the penultimate 123-yard par-three hole.—Jack Bantock, CNN, 16 Mar. 2024 And this is all set to a minimal trip-hop beat (with a slight hint of G-funk) and an atmospheric keyboard wash over a pulsating bassline.—Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 10 Mar. 2024 Eamon Foley’s choreography is smartly unfussy, allowing the music’s electric rhythms to pulsate through the performers.—Thomas Floyd, Washington Post, 30 Jan. 2024 Hundreds of thousands will know what that throbbing, pulsating sound is for three days this weekend that’s booming for blocks from downtown Miami’s Biscayne Boulevard.—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 22 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pulsate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
in part borrowed from Latin pulsātus, past participle of pulsāre "to strike with repeated blows, beat, (in passive) beat wildly (of the heart)," frequentative or repetitive derivative of pellere "to beat against, push, strike"; in part from pulse entry 1 + -ate entry 4 — more at pulse entry 1
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