pulsate

verb

pul·​sate ˈpəl-ˌsāt How to pronounce pulsate (audio)
also ˌpəl-ˈsāt
pulsated; pulsating
Synonyms of pulsatenext

intransitive verb

1
: to throb or move rhythmically : vibrate
2
: to exhibit a pulse or pulsation : beat

Synonyms of pulsate

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Examples of pulsate in a Sentence

The lights pulsated with the music. People danced to the pulsating sounds of hip-hop. Virtually every scene of the movie pulsates with suspense.
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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.
More intense arrangements use pulsating choral music for high-stakes moments. — Allison McClain Merrill, Parents, 8 June 2026 Inside the building, the rhythm of an African drumbeat pulsated a few rows of the upper deck, the fans there draped by the flag of Ghana. — Sam McDowell July 3, Kansas City Star, 4 July 2026 People raved about the food, much of it sourced from regenerative farms, the young but outstanding staff, and the atmosphere, which pulsated nightly. — Vassi Chamberlain, Air Mail, 27 June 2026 Rio is complex and passionate, effervescent, and pulsating. — Roberto Prieto, Variety, 4 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for pulsate

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

First Known Use

1744, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pulsate was in 1744

Rhymes for pulsate

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Browse Nearby Words

pulsatance
pulsate
pulsatile
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Cite this Entry

“Pulsate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pulsate. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

pulsate

verb
pul·​sate ˈpəl-ˌsāt How to pronounce pulsate (audio)
pulsated; pulsating
1
: to throb or move rhythmically
2
: to exhibit a pulse or pulsation : beat
a heart pulsating

Medical Definition

pulsate

intransitive verb
pul·​sate
ˈpəl-ˌsāt also ˌpəl-ˈ
pulsated; pulsating
: to exhibit a pulse or pulsation
a pulsating artery

More from Merriam-Webster on pulsate

Nglish: Translation of pulsate for Spanish Speakers

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