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Meaning & use

pulsating

adjective, verb·Academic

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UK/pʌlˈseɪtɪŋ/
US/ˈpʌlˌseɪtɪŋ/

“pulsating” is a form of “pulsate”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.

Meanings

  1. adjectivecomparable

    Expanding and contracting, flashing or throbbing in a steady rhythm, like a heartbeat.

    Grammar: Usually comes before a noun: a pulsating light. It can also follow be: the pain was pulsating.

    Patterns

    • a pulsating light
    • a pulsating headache

    A pulsating red light on the dashboard warned him that the battery was low.

    She woke with a pulsating pain behind her left eye.

    The pulsating beat of the drums carried across the valley.

  2. adjectivebefore a nounfigurativeapproving

    Full of exciting energy, movement and life.

    Grammar: Used figuratively, usually before a noun: a pulsating city.

    Patterns

    • a pulsating atmosphere
    • a pulsating match

    The two teams played a pulsating final that was decided in the last minute.

    Visitors love the pulsating nightlife of the old harbor.

    The film opens with a pulsating chase through crowded streets.

  3. verbintransitive

    The -ing form of pulsate, meaning to expand and contract rhythmically or to throb.

    Grammar: No object: the vein was pulsating. Often followed by with: pulsating with energy.

    Patterns

    • be pulsating with something

    The whole room was pulsating with music.

    Her vein was pulsating at her temple as she waited for the news.

Common combinations

pulsating rhythm
The pulsating rhythm made everyone want to dance.
pulsating light
A pulsating light marked the entrance to the harbor.
pulsating pain
A pulsating pain throbbed in his tooth all night.
pulsating energy
The crowd had a pulsating energy before the concert.
pulsating with life
The market was pulsating with life at dawn.
pulsating finish
The race had a pulsating finish.

Synonyms and how they differ

throbbing
Throbbing often describes pain or a heavy beat and sounds more physical than pulsating.
pulsing
Pulsing is simpler and shorter and used for light or sound, while pulsating can sound a little more dramatic.
vibrant
Vibrant means full of life and color, but it does not suggest a steady beat like pulsating.
thrilling
Thrilling describes the excitement of an event only and not its rhythm, which pulsating also suggests.

Opposites

steadystill

Word family

pulsate verb
to beat or throb rhythmically
pulsation noun
a single beat or throb, or a series of them
pulse noun
the regular beat of the heart felt in the wrist or neck
pulsatile adjective
occurring in beats or pulses, a medical term

Commonly confused: pulsating or pulsing? pulsating or palpitating?

pulsating vs pulsing

Pulsing is almost the same but is the usual choice for light or electrical signals, whereas pulsating is common in descriptions of excitement.

pulsating vs palpitating

Palpitating describes a heart beating rapidly or irregularly, while pulsating suggests a steady rhythm.

Practice

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