as in to feel
medical
to examine (part of the body) by touching it
The doctor palpated his ribs to see if there was any tenderness.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of palpate
Expect a thorough exam, during which the provider will palpate (touch) the bicep, check for swelling or tenderness, and assess your range of motion and strength.
—
Sarah Jividen, Health, 11 Oct. 2024
At your prenatal visits, your doctor or midwife will check your baby's position by palpating or feeling your belly to find the baby’s head, back, and bottom.
—Donna Murray, Rn, Parents, 25 July 2024
The lead veterinarian, Cristina Buitrago, knelt and palpated the hippo’s abdomen to feel for his testicles, located in the inguinal canal.
—Joshua Hammer, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 June 2024
Providers may need to use special techniques during manual cancer exams in people with obesity, like when palpating larger breasts or performing a rectal exam.
—Claire Bugos, Verywell Health, 19 Jan. 2024
Kuang’s narrative palpates the nuances of cultural performance and writerly ethics, finally concluding that all authors steal for material anyway.
—Zoe Hu, Washington Post, 12 May 2023
Interpreting Results To determine whether dry needling is an effective treatment for you, your healthcare provider or therapist will palpate your trigger points and ask you about your level of pain, movement, and stiffness following your session.
—Brittany Ferri, Verywell Health, 17 Apr. 2023
Determined faces, arms and hands plunged into a heap of apricots, one euro per kilo, palpating and rejecting them, stuffing them in bags, in a joyous frenzy of gathering.
—Annie Ernaux, The New Yorker, 7 Mar. 2023
Teachers and students forget that the ability to palpate is not the same as the ability to feel.
—Seriously Science, Discover Magazine, 22 Apr. 2016
Sarah Jividen, Health, 11 Oct. 2024
At your prenatal visits, your doctor or midwife will check your baby's position by palpating or feeling your belly to find the baby’s head, back, and bottom.
—Donna Murray, Rn, Parents, 25 July 2024
The lead veterinarian, Cristina Buitrago, knelt and palpated the hippo’s abdomen to feel for his testicles, located in the inguinal canal.
—Joshua Hammer, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 June 2024
Providers may need to use special techniques during manual cancer exams in people with obesity, like when palpating larger breasts or performing a rectal exam.
—Claire Bugos, Verywell Health, 19 Jan. 2024
Kuang’s narrative palpates the nuances of cultural performance and writerly ethics, finally concluding that all authors steal for material anyway.
—Zoe Hu, Washington Post, 12 May 2023
Interpreting Results To determine whether dry needling is an effective treatment for you, your healthcare provider or therapist will palpate your trigger points and ask you about your level of pain, movement, and stiffness following your session.
—Brittany Ferri, Verywell Health, 17 Apr. 2023
Determined faces, arms and hands plunged into a heap of apricots, one euro per kilo, palpating and rejecting them, stuffing them in bags, in a joyous frenzy of gathering.
—Annie Ernaux, The New Yorker, 7 Mar. 2023
Teachers and students forget that the ability to palpate is not the same as the ability to feel.
—Seriously Science, Discover Magazine, 22 Apr. 2016
Recent Examples of Synonyms for palpate
Verb
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Teams feel pressured as NASCAR has retained control over half of the revenue, leaving the rest for the teams to share.—
Yaakov Katz,
Newsweek,
8 Feb. 2025
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Brand founder Rosie Jane designs her clean scents to feel easy, breezy, and imminently wearable in everyday life.—
Jenny Berg,
Allure,
8 Feb. 2025
Verb
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His influence extended beyond the sports field, touching the lives of many young people in the area through his dedication and guidance.—
Contributed Content,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
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The patient never touches the sheets at a regular hospital.—
DAVID J. NEAL,
Miami Herald,
7 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Did football culture, which at one time shaved penises into a rookie player’s head as a hazing ritual, need to change?—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
17 Feb. 2025
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In this case, a clever player can easily shave off about half of Nikador's health pool, potentially a lot more.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
17 Feb. 2025
Verb
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To peel dragon fruit: Wash the fruit well under cool running water, then pat dry with a clean kitchen towel.—
Karla Walsh,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Jan. 2025
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After, rinse it with clean water and pat dry with a lint-free cloth.—
Shelby Wax,
Vogue,
23 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near palpate
Cite this Entry
“Palpate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/palpate. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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