Definition of pulsatenext
as in to throb
to expand and contract in a rhythmic manner the heart muscle pulsates regularly to pump blood

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 pulsate The band members pulsated with spirit and energy, gyrating and swinging their instruments in unison. Ken Sugiura, AJC.com, 21 Mar. 2026 Claire’s veins begin to pulsate. Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026 Eventually, as darkness descended, hundreds of shimmering dots coalesced to form a pulsating galaxy of light. New York Times, 16 Mar. 2026 With pulsating strobe lights and a head-banging remix to Britney Spears’s Toxic blaring overhead, models stomped out in clothes that could go straight from the runway and into the nearest nightclub. Kevin Huynh, InStyle, 12 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pulsate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pulsate
Verb
  • The collection consists of the sneaker brand’s UNO sneakers (which, PSA, are a fab Nike Air Max alternative), Arch Fit, and Slip-Ins—all of which include some of the most impressive cushioning and support, so your feet won’t throb after standing for hours in a field.
    Jessie Quinn, StyleCaster, 19 Mar. 2026
  • The smoke kept rising and the clouds continued to throb with sickly yellow-and-black whorls until just after sunset, when the boiling mass of vapor suddenly turned pink and scarlet, like a poisonous flower opening its petals.
    New York Times, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Electrons vibrating in some container.
    Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
  • The pilot of a helicopter that crashed on a sightseeing flight off the Hawaiian island of Kauai last month, killing three passengers, told investigators that the aircraft vibrated and spun before plunging into the water, according to report released Friday.
    ABC News, ABC News, 17 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Freshman midfielder Quinn Fahey scored the lone goal for the Eagles (6-5-2, 3-2), who beat Andrew for the first time since 2021.
    Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
  • Led by starter Martín Pérez, the Braves started off another series with a victory by beating the Tigers 5-2 at Truist Park on Tuesday.
    Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 29 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Here, we are transported from a pulsing house party basement to a chain coffee shop—from music that catches our attention across a crowded room to the kind that fades easily behind an espresso machine.
    Linnie Greene, Pitchfork, 29 Apr. 2026
  • At 77, Rand is still working every day, often with Johannes Brahms or Eric Dolphy pulsing through the studio.
    Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 27 Apr. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pulsate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pulsate. Accessed 2 May. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on pulsate

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster