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

One of her jump combinations, a triple lutz-triple loop, earns among the highest points in women’s skating, and Liu’s speed and ease in flowing from the first jump immediately into the second with nothing to propel her but her own momentum, often earns her additional points for execution. —Alice Park, Time, 1 Feb. 2026

During his two years as Scituate’s starting QB, Donovan propelled the Sailors to two consecutive Div. —Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 1 Feb. 2026

That part of the narrative involves her central role in propelling her proteges, Kim Foxx and Brandon Johnson, into positions of power in Cook County and Chicago. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2026

Last July, excitement about Dar Al Arkan’s partnership with the Trumps helped propel shares of the Saudi developer’s stock—which trades in London under the name of its international subsidiary, DarGlobal—to a peak of more than ten dollars a share. —David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 31 Jan. 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