throbbing
Americanadjective
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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.
-
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.
-
pulsating or vibrating regularly.
The throbbing sound was now at full volume, and it was indeed drums—deep, heavy goatskin drums.
-
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.
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full of or characterized by lively energy.
This throbbing metropolis is also the world capital of salsa.
noun
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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.
-
the act or fact of feeling or exhibiting strong emotion or passion.
The throbbing of my rage was so powerful that the ground trembled.
-
lively energy.
Feel the throbbing of the world’s cultures at the annual international festival this weekend!
Other Word Forms
- throbbingly adverb
- unthrobbing adjective
Etymology
Origin of throbbing
First recorded in 1400–50; throb ( def. ) + -ing 2 ( def. ) for the adjective senses; throb ( def. ) + -ing 1 ( def. ) for the noun senses
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.
The dancers, whether writhing or thriving in Pite’s throbbing ecosystem, sweep along, at times crouching like rocks, at others twisting away like ringlets of water.
From New York Times
George’s knee bent backward upon landing and, feeling pain he described as throbbing, he initially feared he had suffered a major knee injury that would require long-term recovery.
From Los Angeles Times
About 20 years ago, they had become painful — throbbing during long runs in tight sneakers and interfering with his life.
From Seattle Times
Except, with McKnight’s heart “throbbing,” he said, the referees altered the call.
From Los Angeles Times
Ismaily leans into a drone that evolves from slow tolling to a throbbing pulse.
From New York Times
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.
