throb

[ throb ]

verb (used without object)

, throbbed, throb·bing.

1. to beat with increased force or rapidity, as the heart under the influence of emotion or excitement; palpitate.
2. to feel or exhibit emotion:

   He throbbed at the happy thought.

3. to pulsate; vibrate:

   The cello throbbed.

noun

1. the act of throbbing.
2. a violent beat or pulsation, as of the heart.
3. any pulsation or vibration:

   the throb of engines.

throb

/ θrɒb /

verb

1. to pulsate or beat repeatedly, esp with increased force

   to throb with pain

2. (of engines, drums, etc) to have a strong rhythmic vibration or beat

noun

1. the act or an instance of throbbing, esp a rapid pulsation as of the heart

   a throb of pleasure

Derived Forms

• ˈthrobbingly, adverb
• ˈthrobbing, adjective

Other Words From

• throb·ber noun
• out·throb verb (used with object) outthrobbed outthrobbing

Word History and Origins

Origin of throb¹

First recorded in 1325–75; unattested Middle English throbben, implied in present participle throbbant “throbbing”; further origin unknown

Word History and Origins

Origin of throb¹

C14: perhaps of imitative origin

Synonym Study

See pulsate.

Example Sentences

The songs – Thunder Road, Jungleland, Born To Run – throbbed with longing, as his characters fought to escape the confines of small-town, blue collar American life.

From BBC

That sunny day, as Babb walked into the café, the rainy season had subsided and the earth was throbbing with the possibility of new crops and jobs for the workers.

From Salon

Aside from the usual blisters, limps and throbbing limbs, most runners escape relatively unscathed.

From BBC

The French president was getting right into it at a throbbing Paris la Defense Arena as Leon Marchand did what Leon Marchand does.

From BBC

I hold my throbbing head and blink stars out my eyes.

From Literature

Related Words

• flutter
• pulse
• resonate
• tremble
• vibrate