1
as in to push
to apply force to (someone or something) so that it moves in front of one
playfully he propelled his rambunctious friend into the swimming pool to cool off
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in to move
to set or keep in motion
the aircraft is propelled by a pair of turboprop engines
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of propel
Snow shared that many of her go-to books — primarily nonfiction titles, autobiographies and self-help books — have propelled her through hard moments in her life, including her divorce and her father's Alzheimer's diagnosis.
—
Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 2 Oct. 2025
But when a tragedy befalls the hotel, Nina is propelled in a relentless spiral of lies and manipulations.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 2 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile, the electric field also propels a flow of ions across the nanopore.
—IEEE Spectrum, 2 Oct. 2025
If Best Buy can continue the recent upward momentum and propel above $80, that would complete a move above the 150-week moving average and trendline resistance.
—David Keller, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for propel
Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 2 Oct. 2025
But when a tragedy befalls the hotel, Nina is propelled in a relentless spiral of lies and manipulations.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 2 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile, the electric field also propels a flow of ions across the nanopore.
—IEEE Spectrum, 2 Oct. 2025
If Best Buy can continue the recent upward momentum and propel above $80, that would complete a move above the 150-week moving average and trendline resistance.
—David Keller, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for propel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for propel
Verb
-
This happens when water in front of the tire builds up faster than the vehicle's weight can push water out of the way.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Oct. 2025
-
For Rick Neuheisel, the moment was enough to push him over the edge emotionally.—
Scott Dochterman,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In a positive sign, Nunoo was moving his hands and fingers, according to Sutton.—
Walter Villa,
Miami Herald,
5 Oct. 2025
-
That includes other immigrants who continue to buy homes to move into or to invest in, even some without legal immigration status.—
Juan Cordoba,
Arkansas Online,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The agent then shoved Moses out of the elevator and towards the group of a dozen journalists and camera crews.—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
1 Oct. 2025
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The journalists were documenting an arrest when they were shoved, according to the New York Immigration Coalition.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Sylvia said fire crews had to access the scene by driving in the wrong direction from 59th Street.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacbee.com,
7 Oct. 2025
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Bouchard is one of the NHL’s most polarizing defensemen, but there’s no denying his elite play-driving numbers on the top pair — even in non-Connor McDavid and non-Leon Draisaitl minutes.—
Harman Dayal,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
When a young woman is brutally murdered in a remote town, a determined female detective is thrust into the case.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
6 Oct. 2025
-
Engine thrust in the baseline design is projected at 370 kilonewtons.—
Kapil Kajal,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
At the same time, Mercury and Mars are activating your sector of expansion, meaning your inner philosopher is loud.—
Dossé-Via Trenou,
Refinery29,
5 Oct. 2025
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There was no official announcement from Washington that the California National Guard was being called up and sent to Oregon, just as was the case when Illinois’ governor made a similar announcement Saturday about troops in his state being activated.—
Danny Bakst,
Fortune,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Daniel’s commercial failure as a novelist impelled him to move to Los Angeles to try writing for the movies.—
David Kamp,
New Yorker,
4 Oct. 2025
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While the recent protests were sparked by the social media ban, protesters said that they had been impelled by years of government corruption and failure to provide young people with economic opportunities.—
Alia Shoaib,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Propel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/propel. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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