1
as in to push
to apply force to (someone or something) so that it moves in front of one
playfully he propelled his rambunctious friend into the swimming pool to cool off
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in to move
to set or keep in motion
the aircraft is propelled by a pair of turboprop engines
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of propel
When the spider releases the pressure, the legs snap forward, propelling the spider into the air with great force.
—
New Atlas, 5 Apr. 2025
The play, adapted by Duncan Macmillan and Ostermeier, is propelled by blasts of oomph.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 4 Apr. 2025
Still remaining true to its origins, the company is propelled by technological advancements in the sportswear arena, but also cementing its place in the books with important athletic sponsorships and fashion-forward designs, including culturally relevant collaborations.
—Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 4 Apr. 2025
Someone has to propel the Cardinals out of last year’s cellar.
—Johnny Flores Jr., New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for propel
New Atlas, 5 Apr. 2025
The play, adapted by Duncan Macmillan and Ostermeier, is propelled by blasts of oomph.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 4 Apr. 2025
Still remaining true to its origins, the company is propelled by technological advancements in the sportswear arena, but also cementing its place in the books with important athletic sponsorships and fashion-forward designs, including culturally relevant collaborations.
—Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 4 Apr. 2025
Someone has to propel the Cardinals out of last year’s cellar.
—Johnny Flores Jr., New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for propel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for propel
Verb
-
Are Puerto Rican filmmakers pushing for this to change?—
Carlos Aguilar,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Mar. 2025
-
Business schools are mimicking Harvard and Stanford, pushing a VC-centric curriculum instead of teaching unicorn-entrepreneurship—the skills to build billion-dollar businesses without VC.—
Dileep Rao,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Eventually any discourse about his low batting average and moving him in the lineup evaporated as Judge finished with a .322 average, 58 homers and 144 RBIS, barely missing out on matching Mickey Mantle in the Triple Crown department.—
Larry Fleisher,
Forbes.com,
4 Apr. 2025
-
This left him a lame-duck president prevented from moving forward on legislation to cut taxes and ease business regulations, as his main rivals in the Democratic Party used parliament to impeach key cabinet members and hold up a budget bill.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
3 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The man shoved the victim onto the tracks, and as bystanders rushed to pull him back onto the platform before a train rumbled into the station, the attacker took off on foot.—
Elizabeth Keogh,
New York Daily News,
2 Apr. 2025
-
Cream pie out of respect to many a great stooge who cruelly had the sweet treat shoved or thrown onto their face.—
Jesse David Fox,
Vulture,
1 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Tate Beran drove in a pair of runs, while Ryan Kastor picked up his second save with two scoreless innings of relief.—
Paul Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Apr. 2025
-
Comedian and car aficionado Jay Leno drove state Sen. Shannon Grove, R-Bakersfield, in a 1976 Pontiac Trans-Am past the state Capitol on Tuesday, rallying support for legislation that would ease restrictions on classic cars.—
HECTOR AMEZCUA,
Sacbee.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Suddenly, Fort Myers was thrust into the national spotlight as Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration waited for officials to make their next move, threatening the loss of state and federal funds.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
8 Apr. 2025
-
In the daffodil spears thrusting up through dead leaves, each stalk swells with the pulse of a blossom-to-be.—
Rosanna Warren,
New Yorker,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
In this case, we’re well served to recognize that our social capital is enriched by diversifying across those deeper, fewer connections as well as the more numerous casual relationships that often have an outsized positive impact when activated at the right time.—
Tim Maurer,
Forbes.com,
6 Apr. 2025
-
Every morning, guests can watch as the Chronos opens the portals by lining them up and activating them.—
Samantha Neely,
USA Today,
6 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
That didn’t impel the NFL to change the overtime rule, which at the time said a game ends if a team scores a touchdown in the extra period.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
27 Feb. 2025
-
Without doing so, the city risks adding to the recent record of downgrades from the ratings agencies and impels that any new infrastructure debt minimizes additional costs over the long run.—
Dana Levenson,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Propel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/propel. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share