What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
palpitating
Example
She felt her heart palpitating with fear as she walked through the dark alley. [palpitating: verb]
Example
The patient complained of palpitating sensations in his chest. [palpitating: adjective]
pulsating
Example
The pulsating beat of the music made it impossible not to dance. [pulsating: adjective]
Example
The doctor checked the patient's pulsating pulse to monitor their condition. [pulsating: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Pulsating is more commonly used than palpitating in everyday language, especially in a figurative sense to describe an energetic or dynamic environment. Palpitating is more often used in a medical context to describe an irregular heartbeat or palpitations.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between palpitating and pulsating?
Both palpitating and pulsating are formal words that are typically used in medical or technical contexts. However, pulsating is more versatile and can also be used in a figurative sense in informal contexts, while palpitating is less common and may sound more technical or specialized.
