propel

verb

pro·​pel prə-ˈpel 

propelled; propelling

transitive verb

: to drive forward or onward by or as if by means of a force that imparts motion

Synonyms of propel

• push
• shove
• drive
• thrust

Examples of propel in a Sentence

He grabbed him and propelled him through the door.

The train is propelled by steam.

Recent Examples on the Web

Brown tried to move out the way but was struck by Garcia’s car, propelling him through the air. —Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 12 May 2026

Nurphoto | Nurphoto | Getty Images Chip stocks dropped on Tuesday, pulling back from a massive rally that broadened the artificial intelligence trade beyond Nvidia and propelled the sector to new highs. —Samantha Subin, CNBC, 12 May 2026

Well, there’s a ton of music still on the table to be used, dramatized, and propelled back onto the streaming charts. —Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 12 May 2026

To have any chance of winning, Pratt must tap into the populist energy that is propelling him. —Conor Friedersdorf, The Atlantic, 12 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English propellen "to drive away, expel," borrowed from Latin prōpellere "to push or thrust forward, compel to go onward," from prō- "before, in front" + pellere "to beat against, push, strike, rouse, expel" — more at pro- entry 2, pulse entry 1

First Known Use

1558, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for propel

• barbell
• bedwell
• befell
• bluebell
• bombshell
• bridewell
• capelle
• cartel
• carvel
• clamshell
• cogswell
• compel

Kids Definition

propel

verb

pro·​pel prə-ˈpel 

propelled; propelling

: to push or drive usually forward or onward

a bicycle is propelled by pedals

propelled by the crowd