pit-a-patting

Definition of pit-a-pattingnext
present participle of pit-a-pat
as in throbbing
to expand and contract in a rhythmic manner her heart pit-a-patted with surprise

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pit-a-patting
Verb
  • The light bled red at Sixty-Seventh and Pacific, music throbbing through the speakers as Olivia Borsutzki relaxed her foot from the brake.
    Ira Gorawara, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2026
  • 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
Verb
  • Willacy, who received the death penalty for beating his neighbor with a hammer and setting her on fire in 1990 in Palm Bay, Florida, is scheduled to be executed on April 21.
    Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 6 Apr. 2026
  • Meanwhile, UConn earned a ticket to the final game after beating Illinois, 71-62, in hopes of earning its seventh championship title.
    DeJanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 6 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Think of an elastic band vibrating inside each particle.
    Zachary Slepian, The Conversation, 30 Mar. 2026
  • Noise colors can be high-pitched (rapidly vibrating) sounds, low-pitched (slowly vibrating) sounds, or a combination.
    Laura Kiniry, Popular Science, 25 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Can that pulsing stream of water damage teeth or enamel?
    Anne Ewbank, Popular Science, 1 Apr. 2026
  • All through this book, what’s pulsing is your love of this thing.
    Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 29 Mar. 2026
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.

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Cite this Entry

“Pit-a-patting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pit-a-patting. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.

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