palpitate
verb
pal·pi·tate ˈpal-pə-ˌtāt 
palpitated; palpitating
intransitive verb
: to beat rapidly and strongly : throb
My heart began to palpitate when I was announced as the winner.
Synonyms
- beat
- pit-a-pat
- pitter-patter
- pulsate
- pulse
- throb
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
My heart began to palpitate when I was announced as the winner. the man's heart began to palpitate, and he feared another attack was coming on
Recent Examples on the Web The matte, phosphorescent sigils painted onto his robe appeared to palpitate in the low light. 
Kent Russell, Harper’s Magazine , 25 May 2022 In one of the raciest vignettes, a man buys and eats fresh dumplings on a train, intermittently palpitating his sore gums with his fingers. Sophie Pinkham, The New York Review of Books, 8 May 2020 My heart palpitates at the seriousness of his tone. Kelly Meldrum, Washington Post, 30 Sep. 2019 Angelica Hernández’s heart hasn’t stopped palpitating for a week. Washington Post, 11 Jan. 2020 Angelica Hernández's heart hasn't stopped palpitating for a week. Author: Arelis R. Hernández, Cristina Corujo, Anchorage Daily News, 12 Jan. 2020 The past three seasons, their games were marked by palpitating comebacks. New York Times, 23 Nov. 2019 Anyway, back to the point: Rachel Bilson bumped into Adam Brody at JFK Airport, and the hearts of millennials across the globe promptly stopped, palpitated, or completely exploded. Emily Dixon, Marie Claire, 14 Aug. 2019 Not to get all misty about hallowed visual-effects goldentimes, but Ray Harryhausen’s stop-motion skeletons made for a heart-palpitating battle in Jason and the Argonauts. Mary H. K. Choi, WIRED, 28 Feb. 2011 See More
Kent Russell, Harper’s Magazine , 25 May 2022 In one of the raciest vignettes, a man buys and eats fresh dumplings on a train, intermittently palpitating his sore gums with his fingers. Sophie Pinkham, The New York Review of Books, 8 May 2020 My heart palpitates at the seriousness of his tone. Kelly Meldrum, Washington Post, 30 Sep. 2019 Angelica Hernández’s heart hasn’t stopped palpitating for a week. Washington Post, 11 Jan. 2020 Angelica Hernández's heart hasn't stopped palpitating for a week. Author: Arelis R. Hernández, Cristina Corujo, Anchorage Daily News, 12 Jan. 2020 The past three seasons, their games were marked by palpitating comebacks. New York Times, 23 Nov. 2019 Anyway, back to the point: Rachel Bilson bumped into Adam Brody at JFK Airport, and the hearts of millennials across the globe promptly stopped, palpitated, or completely exploded. Emily Dixon, Marie Claire, 14 Aug. 2019 Not to get all misty about hallowed visual-effects goldentimes, but Ray Harryhausen’s stop-motion skeletons made for a heart-palpitating battle in Jason and the Argonauts. Mary H. K. Choi, WIRED, 28 Feb. 2011 See More Word History
Etymology
Latin palpitatus, past participle of palpitare, frequentative of palpare to stroke
First Known Use
circa 1623, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
palpitate
verb
pal·pi·tate ˈpal-pə-ˌtāt
palpitated; palpitating
: throb entry 1 sense 2
Medical Definition
palpitate
intransitive verb
pal·pi·tate ˈpal-pə-ˌtāt
palpitated; palpitating
: to beat rapidly, irregularly, or forcibly —used especially of the heart
palpitating 1 of 2
adjective
as in throbbing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- throbbing
- pulsating
- wavering
- shivering
- quivering
- shivery
- trembling
- wavery
- rocky
- shaking
- convulsive
- unstable
- shuddering
- atremble
- tremulous
- aquiver
- quaking
- trembly
- shuddery
- staggery
- wobbling
- wobbly
- quavery
- tottering
- unsteady
- tottery
- shaky
- wabbling
- wabbly
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- steady
- controlled
- stable
- firm
- settled
palpitating
2 of 2verb
as in pulsing
to expand and contract in a rhythmic manner the man's heart began to palpitate, and he feared another attack was coming on Synonyms & Similar Words
- throbbing
- pulsing
- beating
- vibrating
- pulsating
- trembling
- quivering
- pitter-pattering
- fluctuating
- oscillating
- pit-a-patting