1
as in pushed
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 drove
to set or keep in motion
the aircraft is propelled by a pair of turboprop engines
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of propelled
Saturday's mission was the seventh flight for the SpaceX Falcon 9 first stage that propelled the cargo ship toward orbit.
—
Mike Wall, Space.com, 11 Apr. 2026
Food editor Gail Ciampa explains what propelled Pizza Mamma to victory from the initial bracket of 32 pizzerias, toppling even James Beard Award winner Al Forno.
—Kathleen Hill, The Providence Journal, 11 Apr. 2026
Holmgren scored 24 points in the first half and propelled the Thunder to an early 25-point lead.
—CBS News, 9 Apr. 2026
In a new experiment, international researchers from ESA, the Université Libre de Bruxelles (Belgium), and Khalifa University (UAE) have demonstrated that superlight graphene aerogels can be propelled by lasers in microgravity.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 9 Apr. 2026
Democrats appear on track to do well in this year’s midterm elections, propelled by growing anti-Trump sentiment.
—Michelle Cottle, Mercury News, 9 Apr. 2026
In the South Coast Conference, Colin McKay (four goals, one assist), Matt Frias (three goals, one assist), and Joe Procaccini (four assists) all propelled Apponequet to a 9-4 victory over Seekonk.
—Jack Murray, Boston Herald, 4 Apr. 2026
The translunar injection burn, which lasted several minutes, is the most critical engine firing of the mission and propelled the spacecraft out of Earth’s orbit and onto a path that will carry the crew around the moon and back to Earth.
—Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 3 Apr. 2026
The gallery below also has an inside-look at the giant Space Launch System rocket that propelled the Artemis II mission into space and the astronauts during prelaunch procedures.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026
Mike Wall, Space.com, 11 Apr. 2026
Food editor Gail Ciampa explains what propelled Pizza Mamma to victory from the initial bracket of 32 pizzerias, toppling even James Beard Award winner Al Forno.
—Kathleen Hill, The Providence Journal, 11 Apr. 2026
Holmgren scored 24 points in the first half and propelled the Thunder to an early 25-point lead.
—CBS News, 9 Apr. 2026
In a new experiment, international researchers from ESA, the Université Libre de Bruxelles (Belgium), and Khalifa University (UAE) have demonstrated that superlight graphene aerogels can be propelled by lasers in microgravity.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 9 Apr. 2026
Democrats appear on track to do well in this year’s midterm elections, propelled by growing anti-Trump sentiment.
—Michelle Cottle, Mercury News, 9 Apr. 2026
In the South Coast Conference, Colin McKay (four goals, one assist), Matt Frias (three goals, one assist), and Joe Procaccini (four assists) all propelled Apponequet to a 9-4 victory over Seekonk.
—Jack Murray, Boston Herald, 4 Apr. 2026
The translunar injection burn, which lasted several minutes, is the most critical engine firing of the mission and propelled the spacecraft out of Earth’s orbit and onto a path that will carry the crew around the moon and back to Earth.
—Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 3 Apr. 2026
The gallery below also has an inside-look at the giant Space Launch System rocket that propelled the Artemis II mission into space and the astronauts during prelaunch procedures.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for propelled
Verb
-
As the quarrel turned physical, the woman pushed Smith to the ground, witnesses told police.—
Rocco Parascandola,
New York Daily News,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Hayslett has pushed Marzullo to be aware of pitches on the outside corner.—
Rick Armstrong,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
On this day, volunteers drove flowers to a senior living center, where the act of kindness overwhelmed resident Carmela Kemper.—
Sharon Chin,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
That experience drove me into public service.—
Christian Mitchell,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Robinson shoved Daniels backward, and Bradley intervened before the dispute could escalate further.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Clarke shoved O’Connor at least once.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Cameras moved to the back of the room Utah County prosecutor Chad Grunander noted that nearly all of the clips shown by the defense as examples of media sensationalism did not include material from the courtroom livestream.—
Matthew Brown,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Apr. 2026
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When Manning began teaching in the early 1990s, communication between teachers and parents moved at a slower, more deliberate pace.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
18 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The long-running series is enjoying its latest act on Netflix after previously airing on Fox and USA, tantalizing viewers by thrusting four couples due for a reckoning into an exotic locale overflowing with sultry singles whose only goal is to flirt.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 Apr. 2026
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On the witness stand, Shandelle thrust her head back, demonstrating how Braddy’s hands gripped her throat.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In all, 10 on-duty Portage officers, two off-duty officers and a Porter County sheriff’s deputy rushed to the scene with lights and sirens activated, the department said.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
20 Apr. 2026
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Power comes from a 700-Wh battery, while regenerative braking – activated simply by back-pedaling – can recover enough energy to extend range by up to 25%, according to ICE.—
Omar Kardoudi
April 20,
New Atlas,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Both were impelled to launch ninth-inning pushes to persuade Oscar voters that Shakespeare wasn’t really in love and Private Ryan needed serious saving.—
Peter Bart,
Deadline,
8 Jan. 2026
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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
Cite this Entry
“Propelled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/propelled. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.
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