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
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2
as in to drive
to set or keep in motion
the aircraft is propelled by a pair of turboprop engines
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of propel
Strong travel demand and a pullback on capacity by some low-fare carriers, such as Spirit Airlines, have largely propelled the rise in prices.
—
Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2025
Newfound interest in the Epstein case has propelled Wolff, 72, to an unlikely degree of social media stardom, as people just tuning in to the yearslong legal saga flock to his frank, straight-to-camera explainer videos.
—Graph Massara, semafor.com, 6 Nov. 2025
Determined to win back control, Pelosi helped recruit and propel dozens of women to office in the 2018 midterm elections as Democrats running as the resistance to Trump’s first term.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 6 Nov. 2025
Although there are differences between those candidates, an emphasis on affordability was a common thread through each of those campaigns that helped propel them to victory.
—Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for propel
Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2025
Newfound interest in the Epstein case has propelled Wolff, 72, to an unlikely degree of social media stardom, as people just tuning in to the yearslong legal saga flock to his frank, straight-to-camera explainer videos.
—Graph Massara, semafor.com, 6 Nov. 2025
Determined to win back control, Pelosi helped recruit and propel dozens of women to office in the 2018 midterm elections as Democrats running as the resistance to Trump’s first term.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 6 Nov. 2025
Although there are differences between those candidates, an emphasis on affordability was a common thread through each of those campaigns that helped propel them to victory.
—Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for propel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for propel
Verb
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What Veblen saw as the public exhibition of wealth has become the performance of aspiration, now filmed, edited, and pushed through a recommendation feed.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
9 Nov. 2025
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This happens when water in front of the tire builds up faster than the vehicle's weight can push water out of the way.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Not in any explicit way—my father wasn’t the cranky, alcoholic ex-minor league baseball player who drove around Los Angeles with his pool cleaning equipment in the back of his Cadillac convertible played by Matthau.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Nov. 2025
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Holcomb had driven all the way from Heber Springs with her daughter at the prospect of free food.—
Daniel McFadin,
Arkansas Online,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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But when push comes to shove, will the Millers be able to start fresh?—
Joe Otterson,
Variety,
5 Nov. 2025
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After shoving a shark up to the surface, the orcas rolled it onto its back.—
Ashley Balzer Vigil,
Scientific American,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Then, at the next vehicle entrance, the city is proposing a tunnel so bike traffic can move without interacting with cars.—
Amir Mahmoud,
Arkansas Online,
9 Nov. 2025
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Even 6 inches of swiftly moving water can forcefully knock you off your feet.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The incident came after a tense year for Harvard students, teachers and staff who were thrust into the national spotlight amid the White House’s push to reshape higher education.—
Michelle Watson,
CNN Money,
4 Nov. 2025
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From product recalls to workplace discrimination, to customer mistreatment scandals, CEOs are often thrust into the spotlight and forced to apologize.—
Prachi Gala,
The Conversation,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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During inquiries, the ICO found 178 active email accounts using passwords identical or similar to those set by the organization’s IT desk when the account was activated.—
Charlotte Reck,
CNN Money,
9 Nov. 2025
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In cases of near-zero visibility due to dense fog, activate your hazard lights and seek a safe spot, like a nearby business parking lot, to pull over and stop.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Propel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/propel. Accessed 10 Nov. 2025.
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