throb

1 of 2

verb

throbbed; throbbing

intransitive verb

1
: to pulsate or pound with abnormal force or rapidity
2
: to beat or vibrate rhythmically
throbber noun

throb

2 of 2

noun

: beat, pulse

Examples of throb in a Sentence

Verb Her finger throbbed with pain. The music throbs with a Caribbean beat. drums throbbing in the distance Noun the throb of the drums The pain has changed to a dull throb.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
The noise of the cicadas throbbed terribly in the trees. Greg Jackson, The New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2024 But Harmony Korine’s latest marries a first-person perspective to a barrage of other visual noise on screen, including icons, pop-ups, picture-in-picture, and a chat overlay, all accompanied by a throbbing non-stop score by British producer Burial. Alison Willmore, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2024
Noun
The music throbs and flourishes; so does the stage, loaded up with gondolas and chandeliers, fog and fashion and fur and roller-skates. Sara Holdren, Vulture, 20 Oct. 2024 The timing—the beat, the lag, the throb of the void—between stimulus and reaction. James Parker, The Atlantic, 12 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for throb 

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English throbben

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1578, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of throb was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near throb

Cite this Entry

“Throb.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/throb. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

throb

verb
ˈthräb
throbbed; throbbing
1
: to beat hard or fast (as from fright or pain)
her injured ankle was throbbing
2
: to beat or vibrate with a steady rhythm
throb noun

Medical Definition

throb

1 of 2 intransitive verb
throbbed; throbbing
: to pulsate or pound especially with abnormal force or rapidity
a finger throbbing from an infected cut

throb

2 of 2 noun
: a single pulse of a pulsating movement or sensation
a sudden throb of pain

More from Merriam-Webster on throb

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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