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

Faces of Death is director Daniel Goldhaber’s reimagining of the controversial 1978 cult horror with box office propelled by a viral marketing and PR campaign and strong word of mouth. —Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 12 Apr. 2026

Saturday's mission was the seventh flight for the SpaceX Falcon 9 first stage that propelled the cargo ship toward orbit. —Mike Wall, Space.com, 11 Apr. 2026

Food editor Gail Ciampa explains what propelled Pizza Mamma to victory from the initial bracket of 32 pizzerias, toppling even James Beard Award winner Al Forno. —Kathleen Hill, The Providence Journal, 11 Apr. 2026

While she was already involved in the intersection of art and medicine, Torrents said the experience propelled her to push for change. —Sofia Baltodano, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 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