throbbing

[ throb-ing ]
See synonyms for: throbbingthrobbings on Thesaurus.com

adjective
  1. beating or pulsing rapidly or forcefully, as the heart under the influence of emotion or excitement: One may use a sweet, patient tone and words, but the throbbing vein in the temple betrays one’s anger.

  2. feeling or exhibiting strong emotion or passion: As he spoke to the students crashing the climate convention, he was clearly thrilled to be there in that throbbing mass of youthful exuberance.

  1. pulsating or vibrating regularly: The throbbing sound was now at full volume, and it was indeed drums—deep, heavy goatskin drums.

  2. being or feeling pain that occurs in rhythmic waves or bursts: A sinus infection often results in a throbbing headache.He pounded on the closed door, but with no effect apart from a throbbing fist.

  3. full of or characterized by lively energy: This throbbing metropolis is also the world capital of salsa.

noun
  1. the act of beating fast or forcefully, pulsating or vibrating, or occurring in rhythmic waves: The pain in his shoulder had subsided to a dull throbbing.Astronomers have measured the throbbing of a sun-like star 24 light-years away.

  2. the act or fact of feeling or exhibiting strong emotion or passion: The throbbing of my rage was so powerful that the ground trembled.

  1. lively energy: Feel the throbbing of the world’s cultures at the annual international festival this weekend!

Origin of throbbing

1
First recorded in 1400–50; throb + -ing2 for the adjective senses; throb + -ing1 for the noun senses

Other words from throbbing

  • throb·bing·ly, adverb
  • un·throb·bing, adjective

Words Nearby throbbing

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use throbbing in a sentence

  • The Seneschal leaned back, and was concerned to feel his pulses throbbing a shade too quickly.

    St. Martin's Summer | Rafael Sabatini
  • He marched to meet it with the throbbing pulses of a soldier rushing to victory or a saint to martyrdom.

  • With his face thrust into the cold night air Tom felt the blood go throbbing in his temples.

    The Wave | Algernon Blackwood
  • He felt inclined to believe it, but while it soothed his torn and throbbing pride, it by no means lessened his apprehension.

    Ancestors | Gertrude Atherton
  • No sob, no sigh, forced its way from her heart, throbbing as though it would burst.