PROPEL Synonyms: 55 Similar and Opposite Words

propel

verb

prə-ˈpel

Definition of propel

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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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

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 Just over three years ago in Guatemala, a coalition of young and Indigenous voters helped propel Bernardo Arévalo, a reformer who campaigned against corruption, to an astounding presidential win. — Will Freeman, The Atlantic, 20 Sep. 2026 There is also a section dedicated to Star Wars, the storied sci-fi franchise that propelled George Lucas to fame. — Tim Chan, Footwear News, 20 Sep. 2026 California companies have propelled this movement, turning what was once an old-fashioned way to save money into a booming industry at the cutting edge of style. — Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026 The single Pratt and Whitney or General Electric engine can propel the jet at up to 1,500 mph with a range of up to 2,002 miles. — Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 18 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for propel

Recent Examples of Synonyms for propel

Verb

Progressive Democrats are jockeying to shape the Democratic Party’s approach to artificial intelligence, pushing for heavy restrictions on the rapidly developing industry.

— Hailey Bullis, The Washington Examiner, 26 Sep. 2026
Pandemic-era migration from coastal counties has helped push up prices in communities once considered affordable, leaving longtime residents with fewer options beyond absorbing higher costs.

— Jack Flemming, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of push

Verb

Its onboard offerings, wide array of itineraries and shore excursions—particularly those that are food and wine-driven—easily combine education, adventure, and good fun.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 2026
The real Johnny Drama stayed at your house for months, and one of the others drove your kids to school.

— Lane Brown, Vulture, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of drive

Verb

According to the suit, the video depicts the staff member grabbing a Black student from behind, spinning him around, grabbing him by the shirt and shoving him repeatedly into the metal roll-down door of a concession stand.

— Eric Peterson, Chicago Tribune, 23 Sep. 2026
Oakley and Reid lean so heavily into Elinor and Marianne’s crushing disappointments and the forces holding them back in a period of vast gender inequity, that their sorrows shove the characters’ more captivating qualities to the side.

— David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of shove

Verb

Taken together, the announcements show Meta moving beyond the idea of glasses as simply VR or camera devices.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 24 Sep. 2026
There’s been a steady drumbeat of streaming price hikes as companies over the last few years — and months — as companies moved away from a focus on subscriber additions to profitability.

— Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of move

Verb

The story centers on the adult lives of the sitcom’s five child stars who are thrust once again into the spotlight after a reunion rumor goes viral and their TV mom, Valerie, kills herself.

— Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026
That was considered Sac State’s finest team until the 2019, 2021 and 2022 Hornets teams won Big Sky Conference championships under coach Troy Taylor, a run of success that thrust the Hornets onto the FBS radar.

— Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of thrust

Verb

Gonzalez Reyes then returned to his vehicle and drove away with its police-style siren activated, investigators said.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 22 Sep. 2026
Nicotine activates reward pathways in the brain, which can create a temporary sense of pleasure and well-being.

— Hasmeena Kathuria, The Conversation, 22 Sep. 2026