as in throbbing
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Dissimilar Words
as in pulsing
to expand and contract in a rhythmic manner
the heart muscle pulsates regularly to pump blood
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pulsating
Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure, 18 Dec. 2025
The relentlessly pulsating tempo of the record is tailor-made for the most full-throttle parts of 5SOS’ live show.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 24 Sep. 2025
Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026
For over 20 years, the South African artist has been one of the genre’s true workhorses, building up an intimidating discography under names like Echologist and Beat Pharmacy and applying the style’s pearlescent, pulsating aesthetic to a range of frameworks.
—Andrew Ryce, Pitchfork, 6 Feb. 2026
And because Bad Bunny is the halftime show headliner this year, the restaurant will have the six-time, history-making Grammy winner‘s music as its pulsating soundtrack throughout the main dining room and their new speakeasy.
—Karu F. Daniels, New York Daily News, 5 Feb. 2026
The 2-2 result at the end of a pulsating, dramatic afternoon at historic, raucous Tynecastle means Hearts still lead the Scottish Premiership.
—Michael Walker, New York Times, 26 Jan. 2026
Its stylish decor and pulsating music create an ideal backdrop for dancing the night away.
—Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer, 23 Jan. 2026
Revel in Chicago’s Evolving Dining Scene Chicago’s pulsating and evolving dining scene is one of the best things about visiting or living in the City of the Big Shoulders.
—Wendy Altschuler, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
The singer delivered a pulsating rendition of the record paired with slick choreography and a crew of dancers in a warehouse for the set that marks her latest accolade, being named Global Push Artist for November.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 7 Nov. 2025
All to the happy pulsating sound of sprinklers.
—Literary Hub, 4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
To experience the city’s culture at its most pulsating, visit during the annual Carnaval de Limón in October.
—Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure, 18 Dec. 2025
The relentlessly pulsating tempo of the record is tailor-made for the most full-throttle parts of 5SOS’ live show.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 24 Sep. 2025
Verb
In Milan, the pulsating cauldron inspired by the sun will burn at Arco della Pace.
—Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026
For over 20 years, the South African artist has been one of the genre’s true workhorses, building up an intimidating discography under names like Echologist and Beat Pharmacy and applying the style’s pearlescent, pulsating aesthetic to a range of frameworks.
—Andrew Ryce, Pitchfork, 6 Feb. 2026
And because Bad Bunny is the halftime show headliner this year, the restaurant will have the six-time, history-making Grammy winner‘s music as its pulsating soundtrack throughout the main dining room and their new speakeasy.
—Karu F. Daniels, New York Daily News, 5 Feb. 2026
The 2-2 result at the end of a pulsating, dramatic afternoon at historic, raucous Tynecastle means Hearts still lead the Scottish Premiership.
—Michael Walker, New York Times, 26 Jan. 2026
Its stylish decor and pulsating music create an ideal backdrop for dancing the night away.
—Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer, 23 Jan. 2026
Revel in Chicago’s Evolving Dining Scene Chicago’s pulsating and evolving dining scene is one of the best things about visiting or living in the City of the Big Shoulders.
—Wendy Altschuler, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
The singer delivered a pulsating rendition of the record paired with slick choreography and a crew of dancers in a warehouse for the set that marks her latest accolade, being named Global Push Artist for November.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 7 Nov. 2025
All to the happy pulsating sound of sprinklers.
—Literary Hub, 4 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pulsating
Adjective
-
If not remedied, this will progress to a tingling and later a throbbing sensation.—
Karl Hille,
Baltimore Sun,
15 Jan. 2026
-
Over throbbing synths, the actors shouted declarations into each other’s ears—and additionally communicated with eyes and hands—while a cameraman circled them with a Steadicam.—
Rebecca Mead,
New Yorker,
8 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
The area, once home to a vibrant Black community known as Freedman’s Town, is now a mix of residential and commercial high-rise towers, pulsing nightlife and pricey townhomes.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Using this response, Appelbaum defined a sleep-like state in jellyfish as pulsing fewer than 37 times per minute for over three minutes, and eight minutes or more of stillness in sea anemones.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
24 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Relevant, heart-palpitating, thoughtful, emotional, tense, thrilling, devastating and joyful.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
4 Dec. 2025
Verb
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The island's stunning Blue Lagoon starkly contrasts tropical shores vibrating with life during the rainier months.—
Carley Rojas Avila,
Travel + Leisure,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Someone’s phone is always vibrating, a gimmick that often strikes me as contrived in a movie-movie but feels totally normalized in a reality-movie like The Moment.—
Anna Gaca,
Pitchfork,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The Seahawks used a first-round bye to rest, heal and prepare, and then routed the 49ers in a divisional-round game before beating the Rams, 31-27, to advance to the Super Bowl.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
The Patriots finished 14-3 but defeated only one team with a winning record in the regular season, beating up on the likes of the Jets (twice), Giants, Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns and Joe Burrow-less Cincinnati Bengals en route to an AFC East title.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pulsating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pulsating. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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