Definition of palpitatenext
as in to throb
to expand and contract in a rhythmic manner the man's heart began to palpitate, and he feared another attack was coming on

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 palpitate The Broad palpitated with energy. Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2025 The finale had the impossible task of putting the monstrous show to an unquiet grave, and while some storylines seemed rushed and others completely ignored, even everyone’s least favorite season of GOT is heart palpitating. Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 31 Jan. 2025 Representing heart-palpitating romance is the main storyline: the passion of Megha’s son Naveen (Carol Mazhuvancheril) for his boyfriend, Keshav (Noah Israel), a fellow Hindu who happens to be Caucasian. Celia Wren, Washington Post, 14 Mar. 2023 The matte, phosphorescent sigils painted onto his robe appeared to palpitate in the low light. Kent Russell, Harper’s Magazine , 25 May 2022 In one of the raciest vignettes, a man buys and eats fresh dumplings on a train, intermittently palpitating his sore gums with his fingers. Sophie Pinkham, The New York Review of Books, 8 May 2020 Angelica Hernández's heart hasn't stopped palpitating for a week. Author: Arelis R. Hernández, Cristina Corujo, Anchorage Daily News, 12 Jan. 2020 The past three seasons, their games were marked by palpitating comebacks. New York Times, 23 Nov. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for palpitate
Verb
  • And yet, as dynasties could emerge across a number of divisions in boys hockey this postseason, none should diminish what will be yet another heart-throbbing three weeks.
    Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 23 Feb. 2026
  • Winning by rallying the naïve and clueless is one thing, but administering a throbbing behemoth is a greater challenge.
    Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 18 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • On the other side of the bracket, top-seed Maple Grove beat Irondale 83-38.
    Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 25 Feb. 2026
  • The Lakers opened the homestand with wins over Philadelphia and Golden State, lost back-to-back games to Oklahoma City and San Antonio, beat Dallas and the Clippers and then finished it off with losses to Boston and Orlando.
    Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Navigate the locker room with your vibrating children.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Feb. 2026
  • Suddenly a crowd is just there, vibrating to the sounds in ecstatic reverie.
    ABC News, ABC News, 18 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The right work can make a subject that’s never crossed my mind, or that strikes me as aggressively boring, into something incantatory, pulsing with meaning.
    Deb Olin Unferth, The Atlantic, 25 Feb. 2026
  • Accidental melodies fade in and out of earshot; pulsing chords rise up from below and are swallowed back into the murk, only to be replaced by other pulses running at different tempi, giving the impression of wheels within wheels within wheels.
    Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 21 Feb. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Palpitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/palpitate. Accessed 1 Mar. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on palpitate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster