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
Isaacman’s comments come as the Artemis II crew on Monday successfully traveled farther than any astronauts before them when their Orion spaceship slingshotted around the Moon propelled by the celestial body’s gravitational force.
—
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 7 Apr. 2026
Helium is used in MRI scanners and for propelling rockets.
—Npr Staff, NPR, 7 Apr. 2026
After reaching orbit, the spacecraft performed a translunar injection burn that propelled it out of Earth’s gravitational hold and toward the Moon.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 6 Apr. 2026
The Gamecocks were seeking their fourth title under coach Dawn Staley but struggled against the unrelenting Bruins, propelled by Gabriela Jaquez’s 21 points and Lauren Betts’ 14.
—Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 6 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for propel
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 7 Apr. 2026
Helium is used in MRI scanners and for propelling rockets.
—Npr Staff, NPR, 7 Apr. 2026
After reaching orbit, the spacecraft performed a translunar injection burn that propelled it out of Earth’s gravitational hold and toward the Moon.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 6 Apr. 2026
The Gamecocks were seeking their fourth title under coach Dawn Staley but struggled against the unrelenting Bruins, propelled by Gabriela Jaquez’s 21 points and Lauren Betts’ 14.
—Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 6 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for propel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for propel
Verb
-
Magyar’s ex-wife, Varga, who had countersigned the pardon papers as justice minister, was pushed out of parliament.—
Kapil Komireddi,
New Yorker,
10 Apr. 2026
-
If someone pushes for more time or attention, think before responding.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Zuckerman is among tens of thousands of patients who drove an explosive demand for prescriptions for Novo’s pill just three months into its launch.—
Annika Kim Constantino,
CNBC,
7 Apr. 2026
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Calls to temporarily pause gas taxes have gained traction in recent days as prices at the pump climb dramatically, largely driven by supply disruptions resulting from the war in Iran.—
Nora O'Neill,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
That would give Japan some very credible counter-strike capabilities if push came to shove.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Apr. 2026
-
The victim listed in the police records later told police about two incidents of physical assault, including grabbing, scratching, shoving and striking, according to the documents.—
Meriam Bouarrouj,
NBC news,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The instinctive Moon moves through your 11th House of Shared Hopes, trining surprising Uranus in your talkative 3rd house.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Groundwater tests in 1992 reveal gasoline was moving towards the Morningside house.—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
She is thrust into an extraordinary journey that will take her all the way to the surface, accompanied by her colorful, loyal and unlikely companions.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
2 Apr. 2026
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Alongside her colorful and loyal — yet unlikely — companions, Ally is thrust into an extraordinary journey that will take her all the way to the surface.—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Amir Levy/Getty Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia all activated their air defense systems to intercept incoming Iranian missiles and drones, as Tehran kept up the pressure on its Gulf neighbors.—
Lucia I Suarez Sang,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
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Each step is engineered to activate the next -- prepare with Pre-Exfoliating Foam, exfoliate with the Exfoliating Body Glove Set, cleanse with The Body Wash and nourish with The Dry Body Oil.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
7 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Propel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/propel. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
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