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

Therein lies the conundrum of the show — Gizelle is the most propulsive member of the cast and its anchoring force, and without Karen in play to really keep her in check, the vibe and tenor of the cast accommodates her whims. —Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 19 Jan. 2026

The Best Motion Picture—Musical or Comedy winner One Battle After Another, Paul Thomas Anderson’s adaptation of Thomas Pynchon’s novel Vineland, is a propulsive thriller about a former revolutionary, who is thrust back into his previous lifestyle to save his daughter. —Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 12 Jan. 2026

There’s something kind of propulsive about it. —Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 9 Jan. 2026

Showing little propulsive momentum at the index level and under the sway of wide dispersion among stocks and sectors, this churning phase has left investor positioning and attitudes shy of dangerous extremes. —Michael Santoli, CNBC, 5 Jan. 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