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

• 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

Needless to say, Eklund didn’t propel straight into a top real estate firm when trying to find his first gig in New York City. —Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 17 Aug. 2025

Powered by renewable e-fuel, this V8 supercar propels the rear wheels through an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission. —Peter Lyon, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2025

The Bay Area’s job performance in July was propelled by significant gains for all three of its major urban centers, according to numbers posted by the state EDD. —George Avalos, Mercury News, 15 Aug. 2025

The discovery may help researchers rewrite their understanding of this aspect of Incan civilization, and propel more scientists to test other khipus sitting in museum collections. —Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 13 Aug. 2025

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