palpitate
8 synonyms and 0 antonyms for palpitate, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — Of the heart, to beat unusually fast, hard or irregularly, so that you become aware of it.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. verb
Of the heart, to beat unusually fast, hard or irregularly, so that you become aware of it.
“Her heart began to palpitate as soon as she saw the caller ID.”
How to Use Palpitate
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Slightly formal or literary as a verb; the noun palpitations is entirely everyday.
Etymology
From Latin palpitare 'to throb, flutter', a frequentative of palpare 'to touch gently, stroke'.
Full origin of palpitate →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between palpitate and palpate?
To palpitate is to throb or beat rapidly, and it is what the heart does. To palpate is what a clinician does with their hands, pressing on the body to examine it. The words share a Latin root but are not interchangeable.
Are heart palpitations dangerous?
Usually not. Most are caused by caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, stress, exercise or hormonal changes and pass on their own. Seek medical advice if they come with chest pain, breathlessness or fainting, or if they are frequent and prolonged.
What is the noun form?
Palpitation, most often used in the plural: 'she went to the doctor about palpitations'.