pulsate

[puhl-seyt]

verb (used without object)

pulsated, pulsating 

1. to expand and contract rhythmically, as the heart; beat; throb.

   Synonyms: pulse

2. to vibrate; quiver.

pulsate

/ ˈpʌlsətɪv, pʌlˈseɪt /

verb

1. to expand and contract with a rhythmic beat; throb

2. physics to vary in intensity, magnitude, size, etc

   the current was pulsating

3. to quiver or vibrate

Other Word Forms

• pulsative adjective
• pulsatively adverb
• nonpulsating adjective
• unpulsating adjective

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of pulsate¹

C18: from Latin pulsāre to push

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.

Example Sentences

The pulsating energy of New York is like no other.

From BBC

The pulsating five-match series between England and India this summer was Test cricket at its finest.

From BBC

The incident occurred in the last passage of play in a pulsating contest in front of 90,000 fans at Melbourne's fabled MCG.

From BBC

The drawn-out finale was a direct contrast to a pulsating morning, when Stokes and Jofra Archer broke open the India batting with some irresistible pace bowling.

From BBC

The pulsating music, giant inflatables tossed into the crowd and sudden blasts of fog can overstimulate kids.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• quiver 
• throb 
• vibrate