propulsive

adjective

pro·​pul·​sive prə-ˈpəl-siv 

: tending or having power to propel

propulsive force

Examples of propulsive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

That parallel between surgery and therapy was propulsive for me. — Cressida Leyshon, New Yorker, 21 June 2026

Denson and his propulsive band will be joined here by versatile vocal great Bernard Fowler for their tribute to reggae legend Jimmy Cliff. — George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 June 2026

Here — with generous assistance from Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, and an excellent Ray Liotta as players in a propulsive story about the romance and horror of being a knock-around guy — Scorsese finds momentum. — Eric Farwell, Entertainment Weekly, 12 June 2026

There are allegories that can be read about fear of the unknown breeding cruelty and exploitation, but Disclosure Day is first and foremost a propulsive yarn with thematic roots in hope, truth, empathy and perhaps even spirituality. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 9 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin prōpulsus, past participle of prōpellere "to push or thrust forward, compel to go onward" + -ive — more at propel

First Known Use

1648, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for propulsive

• compulsive
• convulsive
• expulsive
• impulsive
• repulsive
• electroconvulsive