throb
Americanverb (used without object)
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throbs,
present (3rd person singular)
-
throbbed,
past participle, past
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throbbing
present participle
noun
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throbs
plural
-
the act of throbbing.
-
a violent beat or pulsation, as of the heart.
-
any pulsation or vibration.
the throb of engines.
verb
-
to pulsate or beat repeatedly, esp with increased force
to throb with pain
-
(of engines, drums, etc) to have a strong rhythmic vibration or beat
noun
Synonym Usage
See pulsate.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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throbsimple
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throbssimple
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have throbbedperfect
-
has throbbedperfect
-
am throbbingprogressive
-
are throbbingprogressive
-
is throbbingprogressive
-
have been throbbingperfect progressive
-
has been throbbingperfect progressive
Past
-
throbbedsimple
-
had throbbedperfect
-
was throbbingprogressive
-
were throbbingprogressive
-
had been throbbingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of throb
First recorded in 1325–75; unattested Middle English throbben, implied in present participle throbbant “throbbing”; further origin unknown
Explanation
Things that throb have a strong, regular pulse or rhythm. Loud music with a heavy beat or bass line can seem to throb inside your head — especially if your downstairs neighbors are playing it while you're trying to sleep. Your heartbeat throbs especially fast when you're upset or just after you've been running, and something painful can throb too, like the ache of a stubbed toe. No one's exactly sure where the word throb comes from — most experts guess that it originated as a representation of the sound and feeling of your pulse.
Vocabulary lists containing throb
That Hurts! Synonyms for "Pain"
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Dear Martin
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
The braggadocious “Helicopter” has a piercing throb like a car alarm, while “Stole Ya Flow”—a diss track apparently addressed to Drake—has a curling and distorted drone winding through it, a rattlesnake-like warning.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 20, 2026
And so the throb of pain continues to course through her.
From BBC ● May 7, 2025
In the often exquisite score, the strings throb and the woodwinds flutter.
From New York Times ● May 6, 2024
A new scene opens on a translucent blob with twisty veins that seems to throb, which is revealed to be a portion of a voluminous, sheer sleeve.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 5, 2023
The agony of my hand has turned into a dull throb.
From "The Cruel Prince" by Holly Black
The production, co-created and directed by Moisés Kaufman, throbs with lip-synchable pop hits of such eclectic range that the dance club energy eventually ensnares everybody.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 20, 2024
Such waves can be detected in the way the star’s light pulses and throbs.
From Science Magazine ● Dec. 13, 2023
My heart throbs in my jaw: so close.
From Slate ● Apr. 29, 2023
Its story is told through its throbs of tumult, daunting hurdles, spirited triumphs and terrible tragedies.
From Seattle Times ● Aug. 12, 2022
His head throbs with sorrow and anger and disgust.
From "The Boy Who Dared" by Susan Campbell Bartoletti
But while Kyrgios said his wrist "throbbed" after the Brisbane comeback, it was quickly clear it was the abdominal issue hampering him against Fearnley.
From BBC ● Jan. 13, 2025
Guitars wailed and drums throbbed behind her as part of a set with her bandmates during a recent show.
From Seattle Times ● May 19, 2024
Later, Celtics forward Jayson Tatum splayed across the floor as his right shoulder throbbed in pain.
From Washington Post ● May 22, 2022
“Get Back” throbbed with the pent-up energy of both the Beatles in Jackson’s doc and McCartney and his guys after an unwelcome break from the road.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 14, 2022
The numbness throbbed in his body, and he knew he’d be aching the next day when he woke up.
From "Anger Is a Gift" by Mark Oshiro
That moment came in 2008, with a crash and a long, throbbing hangover.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 25, 2026
The song holds next to none of the grinding desire throbbing through most of The Artist’s oeuvre.
From Salon ● Feb. 14, 2026
A couple of years ago, a falling durian landed on his shoulder, leaving him with a throbbing pain that acts up now and then.
From BBC ● Jan. 10, 2026
She told me I may see her third eye throbbing there when she entered her trance.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 8, 2025
The throbbing burn in my throat displaced all other pain.
From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
