PROPEL Synonyms: 55 Similar and Opposite Words

propel

verb

prə-ˈpel

Definition of propel

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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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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of propel More importantly, part of what propels the narrative in the book is Bret being the only one of his friends to see a dark side to Robert. — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 13 Aug. 2026 In fact, sometimes the name is what propels us toward development in the first place. — Chris Morocco, Bon Appetit Magazine, 13 Aug. 2026 That cost millions of layoffs, but helped propel China to overtake Japan as the second-largest economy behind the United States in 2010. — ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026 Brands should get in before this propels the actor even further into the mainstream. — Madeleine Schulz, Vogue, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for propel

Recent Examples of Synonyms for propel

Verb

Taken together, current and former officials interviewed say, those positions could narrow the military's recruiting pool while pushing some troops already in uniform to reconsider staying.

— Steven Beynon, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
Sangare was one of the core players of the Lens side who pushed Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain hard for the French title last season, eventually coming up six points short.

— Cerys Jones, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of push

Verb

The project, which is expected to take two years, has brought construction noise, dust and the loss of nearby parking spaces, all of which merchants say have driven customers away.

— Maddie White, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
This heat drives the park’s geysers and hot springs while producing frequent earthquakes and gradual changes in the ground.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of drive

Verb

Frequent population movements linked to mining and people fleeing armed conflict add another complication, as people can move before surveillance teams are able to follow up with them.

— ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026
The researchers also want to move beyond bulk pyrite crystals and produce thin films, which are more directly relevant to electronic and energy devices.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of move

Verb

What to read next There, her parents are transformed into pigs and Chihiro is thrust into a vibrant but terrifying underworld.

— David Faris, TheWeek, 14 Aug. 2026
Hollywood thrust him onto the global stage as the star of Free Willy, sparking a worldwide animal rights movement.

— Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of thrust

Verb

Compliant Technologies says the devices function as a normal pair of patrol gloves until officers press a switch to activate their electrical mode.

— CBS News, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
The attacker on the other side of the keyboard would likely be able to activate the mechanisms in the credential management app to log in to a site or download all the passwords.

— Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 11 Aug. 2026