1 throb | Definition of throb

throb

verb
\ ˈthräb How to pronounce throb (audio) \
throbbed; throbbing

Definition of throb

 (Entry 1 of 2)

intransitive verb

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

throb

noun

Definition of throb (Entry 2 of 2)

: beat, pulse

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Other Words from throb

Verb

throbber noun

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.
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Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

And, when the Saint Martin métro station opened in 1913, Paris throbbed with artistic invention. Edward Carr, 1843, "We apologise for the decay," 29 Aug. 2019 Monterey Road, the main street, throbs with taquerias and carnicerias. Steve Rubenstein, SFChronicle.com, "One thing seems sure in Gilroy, the festival — and the city — will go on," 4 Aug. 2019 In my imagination, cities like Los Angeles are filled with kids who cruise across the evenings with their dashboards glowing and soft bedroom pop throbbing through their speakers. Nathan Heller, The New Yorker, "Was the Automotive Era a Terrible Mistake?," 22 July 2019 By midday Friday in New Orleans, gusty winds grew more intense, blowing debris along the ground and causing the city’s famous live oaks to pulse and throb along its streets and boulevards. Jennifer Calfas, WSJ, "Barry to Test New Orleans’ Levees, Pumps and Gates," 12 July 2019 With dancers sporting their infamous neon balaclavas, the core band alternated between melodic indie pop and hard-hitting dance with thick bass and throbbing techno. Joe Lynch, Billboard, "LadyLand Festival Brings the Pride Party to Brooklyn With Pussy Riot, Yvie Oddly & More," 29 June 2019 Novacek, Rose, Iwasaki and DerHovsepian were joined by cellist Clancy Newman, whose first-movement tunes, with heavily throbbing vibrato, were overly assertive. Scott Cantrell, Dallas News, "Enterprising programs open another season for Fort Worth's Mimir Chamber Music Festival," 6 July 2019 Saxbury took a powerful opioid, oxycodone, to manage throbbing lower back that radiates down his left leg. Jayne O'donnell, USA TODAY, "Pain patients left in anguish by doctors 'terrified' of opioid addiction, despite CDC change," 24 June 2019 The pilot, which opens with a murder and hints at a dead mother (played by Longoria), was shot during spring break at the iconic Fontainebleau, with an electronic dance music festival throbbing in the background. Kathryn Shattuck, New York Times, "‘Grand Hotel’ Is Part of Eva Longoria’s Mission to ‘Produce With Purpose’," 18 June 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

From now on, the days shorten, football intrudes, the dull throb of daily obligation gets in the way. Los Angeles Times, "‘Burning Man in the South Bay’: A crazy beach party aglow with bonfires and tradition," 29 Aug. 2019 The malice with which Queen Marguerite spits out her lines, the throb of anguish in Queen Marie’s voice and the Doctor’s affected sneer all start to feel stale after a while. Margaret Gray, latimes.com, "Review: At City Garage in Santa Monica, a king who won't accept the ultimate exit," 19 June 2019 An aura of dread and violence is summoned by the off-center images, the syncopations of the editing and the relentless hum and throb of Jonny Greenwood’s score. A. O. Scott, New York Times, "Review: Joaquin Phoenix Is a Melancholy Avenger in ‘You Were Never Really Here’," 4 Apr. 2018 Justin Bieber, then a wholesome teen heart-throb, meets Baldwin backstage at the Today show. Sarah Spellings, The Cut, "A Comprehensive Timeline Of Hailey Baldwin and Justin Bieber’s Relationship," 9 July 2018 Set in 1929 and ’30, the show captures the jittery throb of Germany’s fragile, fractious but richly creative Weimar era as its brief existence got crushed in the Great Depression and indignant nationalism congealed into Nazism. Daryl H. Miller, latimes.com, "The world is ending, so come to the 'Cabaret'," 15 June 2018 The trauma sticks to my ribs; sometimes a dull ache, sometimes a sudden pinch, and sometimes a painful throb. Danielle Campoamor, Harper's BAZAAR, "I'm Not a Sexual Assault "Survivor"—I'm a Victim," 21 May 2018 Guitarist Brent Smith, bass player Garrett Ney and drummer Tom Lageveen are angular assassins — clinically precise as their sound throbs, rumbles and resembles an air-raid siren. David Lindquist, Indianapolis Star, "Record Store Day acts set off musical fireworks at Indianapolis shops," 22 Apr. 2018 Reynolds and Alma are unique, their own characters - with Day-Lewis especially creating a wholly different kind of role not seen since Dirk Bogarde matched heart-throb looks and transgressive roles in the 1960s. John Petkovic, cleveland.com, "Academy Awards 2018: 'Phantom Thread' deserves to win Best Picture Oscar (commentary)," 2 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'throb.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of throb

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1578, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for throb

Verb

Middle English throbben

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More Definitions for throb

throb

verb

English Language Learners Definition of throb

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: to feel a pain that starts and stops quickly and repeatedly
: to beat with a strong, steady rhythm

throb

noun

English Language Learners Definition of throb (Entry 2 of 2)

: a strong, steady beat
: pain that starts and stops quickly and repeatedly

throb

verb
\ ˈthräb How to pronounce throb (audio) \
throbbed; throbbing

Kids Definition of throb

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1 : to feel repeated pangs of pain My head is throbbing.
2 : to beat hard or fast Our hearts throbbed from fright.
3 : to beat or rotate in a normal way The motor throbbed quietly.