pulsate

[ puhl-seyt ]

verb (used without object)

, pul·sat·ed, pul·sat·ing.

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

Derived Forms

• pulsative, adjective
• ˈpulsatively, adverb

Other Words From

• non·pulsat·ing adjective
• un·pulsat·ing 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

This makes the booster appear to slowly pulsate; it gets brighter and dimmer on a regular cycle as it tumbles.

From Scientific American

They pulsate, drip, twist, ooze, squirm and sometimes even metamorphose, and when they were displayed alongside the menacing work of the “Alien” artist H.R.

From New York Times

They pulsate, drip, twist, ooze, squirm and sometimes even metamorphose, and when they were displayed alongside the menacing work of the “Alien” artist H.R.

From New York Times

Stars like cepheids, which pulsate, getting bigger and smaller, brighter and dimmer.

From Scientific American

They tore through cornfields like earthbound locusts, making the stalks pulsate as if buffeted by a strong wind.

From Washington Post

Related Words

• quiver
• throb
• vibrate