View synonyms for pulsate

pulsate

[puhl-seyt]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb (used without object)

pulsated, pulsating

to expand and contract rhythmically, as the heart; beat; throb.
Synonyms: pulse
to vibrate; quiver.

pulsate

/ ˈpʌlsətɪv, pʌlˈseɪt /

verb

to expand and contract with a rhythmic beat; throb
physics to vary in intensity, magnitude, size, etc
the current was pulsating
to quiver or vibrate

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Other Word Forms

nonpulsating adjective
unpulsating adjective
pulsative adjective
pulsatively adverb

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Word History and Origins

Origin of pulsate¹

1785–95; < Latin pulsātus, past participle of pulsāre to batter, strike, make (strings) vibrate. See pulse ¹, -ate ¹

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Word History and Origins

Origin of pulsate¹

C18: from Latin pulsāre to push

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Synonym Study

Pulsate, beat, palpitate, throb refer to the recurrent vibratory movement of the heart, the pulse, etc. To pulsate is to move in a definite rhythm, temporarily or for a longer duration: Blood pulsates in the arteries. To beat is to repeat a vibration or pulsation regularly for some time: One's heart beats many times a minute. To palpitate is to beat at a rapid rate, often producing a flutter: to palpitate with excitement. To throb is to beat with an unusual force that is often associated with pain or heightened emotion or sensation: to throb with terror.

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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.

It was another pulsating Sunday of NFL action and it included a hugely significant win for the Denver Broncos that has given the Kansas City Chiefs a mountain to climb.

Related Words

pulsar pulsatile

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