definitions
  • synonyms

throb

[ throb ]
/ θrɒb /
|
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR throb ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used without object), throbbed, throb·bing.

to beat with increased force or rapidity, as the heart under the influence of emotion or excitement; palpitate.
to feel or exhibit emotion: He throbbed at the happy thought.
to pulsate; vibrate: The cello throbbed.

noun

the act of throbbing.
a violent beat or pulsation, as of the heart.
any pulsation or vibration: the throb of engines.

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RELATED WORDS

flutter, tremble, vibrate, pulse, resonate, palpitate, thrill, twitter, pound, tingle, thump

Nearby words

throated, throatlash, throatlatch, throatwash, throaty, throb, throckmorton, throe, throes, thrombase, thrombasthenia

Origin of throb

1325–75; Middle English *throbben, implied in present participle throbbant throbbing < ?
Related formsthrob·ber, nounthrob·bing·ly, adverbout·throb, verb (used with object), out·throbbed, out·throb·bing.un·throb·bing, adjective

Synonym study

3. See pulsate.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for throb

British Dictionary definitions for throb

throb

/ (θrɒb) /

verb throbs, throbbing or throbbed (intr)

to pulsate or beat repeatedly, esp with increased forceto throb with pain
(of engines, drums, etc) to have a strong rhythmic vibration or beat

noun

the act or an instance of throbbing, esp a rapid pulsation as of the hearta throb of pleasure
Derived Formsthrobbing, adjectivethrobbingly, adverb

Word Origin for throb

C14: perhaps of imitative origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for throb

throb

v.

mid-14c., of uncertain origin, perhaps meant to represent in sound the pulsation of arteries and veins or the heart. Related: Throbbed; throbbing. The noun is first attested 1570s.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper

Medicine definitions for throb

throb

[ thrŏb ]

v.

To beat rapidly or perceptibly, such as occurs in the heart or a constricted blood vessel.

n.

A strong or rapid beat; a pulsation.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.