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 drive
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
Box office watchers are bullish that reviews — the film boasts a 95% average on Rotten Tomatoes — and positive word-of-mouth could propel initial ticket sales even higher.
—
Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 17 Mar. 2026
The 33-year-old Grammy-winning rapper, actress and entrepreneur is known for beauty transformations — from vibrant wigs and bold beauty to high-fashion moments on red carpets and runways — delivered with the same unfiltered honesty and humor that first propelled her rise.
—Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 17 Mar. 2026
The Delano grape strike and grape boycott helped propel farmworker conditions into the national spotlight and drew support from labor, religious and civil rights groups.
—Paris Barraza, USA Today, 17 Mar. 2026
Just competing with him a lot has just propelled me as well as him.
—Michael Osipoff, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for propel
Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 17 Mar. 2026
The 33-year-old Grammy-winning rapper, actress and entrepreneur is known for beauty transformations — from vibrant wigs and bold beauty to high-fashion moments on red carpets and runways — delivered with the same unfiltered honesty and humor that first propelled her rise.
—Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 17 Mar. 2026
The Delano grape strike and grape boycott helped propel farmworker conditions into the national spotlight and drew support from labor, religious and civil rights groups.
—Paris Barraza, USA Today, 17 Mar. 2026
Just competing with him a lot has just propelled me as well as him.
—Michael Osipoff, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for propel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for propel
Verb
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McMillan said the loss to Oklahoma helped the Aggies, who had to re-establish their toughness after the Sooners pushed them around.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
20 Mar. 2026
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And as importantly, nobody knows how the political reality will push the actual oil supply.—
Tiana Lowe Doescher,
The Washington Examiner,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Teoscar Hernandez hit a three-run home run and Eliezer Alfonzo drove in two with a double during a five-run third inning.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
17 Mar. 2026
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Serafini then left the home on foot to meet with Scott, who had been waiting for him in the getaway car to drive back to Nevada.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In some ways, Tatum even enjoyed getting shoved to the court by Wembanyama in the same game.—
Jay King,
New York Times,
15 Mar. 2026
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Webb, San Francisco’s Opening Day starter for a fifth straight year, shoved for Team USA during the World Baseball Classic, following up his four innings of one-run ball against Team Brazil with 4 2/3 shutout innings against Team Canada in the quarterfinals.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
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As the calendar moves toward spring, the old feeling of hope and exuberance spreads across the country, and it's mostly felt by college basketball fans.—
Josh Taylor,
CBS News,
20 Mar. 2026
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Coleman can play all the positions, so expect Steve Sarkisian to move him around to create advantageous matchups.—
Cedric Golden,
Austin American Statesman,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Getting modelling right under these conditions is essential to designing the engine for ignition timing, flame stability, and ultimately thrust output.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Mar. 2026
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House Bill 913 would thrust new three-month work requirements onto adult Medicaid expansion recipients to maintain their health care coverage — the maximum allowed under federal legislation passed last year to be enrolled in the program.—
Kevin Fixler,
Idaho Statesman,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The moody Moon activates your 3rd House of Chatter while squaring radical Uranus in your 6th House of Sensibility, prompting updates in accordance with shifting timelines.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
16 Mar. 2026
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The discount is particularly useful for travelers planning to attend premium events such as playoff games, arena concerts, or high-demand theater shows, since ticket prices for those experiences often exceed the $150 minimum required to activate the promotion.—
Paris Wilson,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Propel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/propel. Accessed 23 Mar. 2026.
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