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
  • 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
  • With osteomalacia and rickets, a person may experience throbbing bone discomfort and muscle weakness and pain.
    Mark Stibich, Verywell Health, 30 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Liam Gagne recorded 24 saves and Billerica rallied from a two-goal deficit to beat Milton 3-2 in the first round of the Irish American Shootout.
    Kristina Banahan, Boston Herald, 18 Feb. 2026
  • Skincare delivered €551 million in sales and represented 11% of the group’s full-year revenue, beating market expectations.
    Hikmat Mohammed, Vogue, 18 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Even traditional luxury hotels advertise all types of ancient and modern elixirs, from Ayurvedic nutrition plans and chakra-cleansing crystal massages to vibrating mattress pads for lymphatic drainage.
    Hannah Towey, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Feb. 2026
  • My music vibrates strings in there that never moved before.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Many of his voters are young and, like Japanese botanists who intentionally stunt growing trees, are devoid of the knowledge required to comprehend a pulsing metropolis.
    Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 18 Feb. 2026
  • On game days at East Catholic, fight songs pulsed between classes, filling the hallways with energy and anticipation.
    Mario DiLoreto, Hartford Courant, 18 Feb. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Palpitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/palpitate. Accessed 22 Feb. 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!