palpitate

verb

ˈpal-pə-ˌtāt How to pronounce palpitate (audio)
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

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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 heart-palpitating rhythms and glitchy stutters suggest some unholy mix of early Plastikman and Mark Fell, the vestiges of ’90s dance music reanimated into a herky-jerky Frankenstein’s monster. — Andrew Ryce, Pitchfork, 4 Aug. 2026 But two sweaty and heart-palpitating afternoons at Foley Field spoke a truth about Georgia, bound for the College World Series for the first time since 2008. — Ken Sugiura, AJC.com, 8 June 2026 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 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 Angelica Hernández’s heart hasn’t stopped palpitating for a week. — Washington Post, 11 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
  1. throb
  2. beat
  3. vibrate
  4. pulse
Verb
  • Astaire is the world's foremost exponent of that particular variety of heart throb!
    — David Hajdu, Vanity Fair, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Her voice, usually an attention-demanding force, is detached from the throbbing production.
    — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of throb
Verb
  • Drew Doughty had a goal and two assists, and Artemi Panarin added a power-play goal and an assist as the Kings beat the New York Rangers 6-3 on Monday night.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
  • In a shocking upset, a student movement resoundingly beat longtime Serbian leader President Aleksandar Vucic, ending his time in power after 14 years.
    — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of beat
Verb
  • This relies on two tweeters wedged between the display glass and the frame, and two woofers under the glass, which vibrate against the screen to generate bass.
    — Eric Zeman, PC Magazine, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Providers usually make three to four quick injections along the lower part of the muscle, sometimes with numbing cream or a vibrating tool, then apply ice.
    — Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of vibrate
Verb
  • The question that haunts his stories, giving them a pulsing undertow of dread, is whether those things have already happened or not.
    — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The stars of the show are the thousands of bulbs that pulse to music and a clown that sings along to songs.
    — Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of pulse

Browse Nearby Words

palping
palpitate
palpitated
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Cite this Entry

“Palpitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/palpitate. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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