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
As K-pop spurs franchises, copycat spinoffs and big studio blockbusters, the system that propelled K-culture’s rise could stumble if its authenticity starts to waver.
—
Dan Bilefsky, HollywoodReporter, 21 Mar. 2026
The Malaysian ringgit has also risen to its strongest value in five years, propelled by AI optimism and rising energy prices.
—Angelica Ang, Fortune, 19 Mar. 2026
But the Longhorns’ ability to slow down a potent set of North Carolina State shooters — the Wolfpack had four starters shooting better than 40% from 3-point range — has propelled them into a first-round NCAA Tournament matchup Thursday with BYU in Portland, Ore.
—Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 18 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
Just competing with him a lot has just propelled me as well as him.
—Michael Osipoff, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2026
Transfers Miles and Marta Suarez propelled TCU to a repeat Big 12 regular-season championship and will be the key to making a second straight trip to the Sweet 16 and beyond.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Mar. 2026
Team Black, led by Assemblymembers Steve Bennett, D-Ventura, and Isaac Bryan, D-Los Angeles, won the first round and propelled that victory to a win in the final game.
—Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 16 Mar. 2026
Calvary Christian never trailed and, propelled by a 29-10 third quarter, blew out Victory Christian, with a running clock by the end.
—Gary Curreri, Sun Sentinel, 13 Mar. 2026
Dan Bilefsky, HollywoodReporter, 21 Mar. 2026
The Malaysian ringgit has also risen to its strongest value in five years, propelled by AI optimism and rising energy prices.
—Angelica Ang, Fortune, 19 Mar. 2026
But the Longhorns’ ability to slow down a potent set of North Carolina State shooters — the Wolfpack had four starters shooting better than 40% from 3-point range — has propelled them into a first-round NCAA Tournament matchup Thursday with BYU in Portland, Ore.
—Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 18 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
Just competing with him a lot has just propelled me as well as him.
—Michael Osipoff, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2026
Transfers Miles and Marta Suarez propelled TCU to a repeat Big 12 regular-season championship and will be the key to making a second straight trip to the Sweet 16 and beyond.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Mar. 2026
Team Black, led by Assemblymembers Steve Bennett, D-Ventura, and Isaac Bryan, D-Los Angeles, won the first round and propelled that victory to a win in the final game.
—Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 16 Mar. 2026
Calvary Christian never trailed and, propelled by a 29-10 third quarter, blew out Victory Christian, with a running clock by the end.
—Gary Curreri, Sun Sentinel, 13 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for propelled
Verb
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And that would have pushed him above 200 career wins.—
Rick Armstrong,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Some Israeli troops have pushed into southern Lebanon, and there are fears Israel is preparing a large-scale invasion.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In an explosive New York Times report out Wednesday, Huerta, who will turn 96 on April 10, told the newspaper that Chavez drove her to a secluded grape field in Delano, California, in 1966 and raped her in the vehicle.—
Ryan Carter,
Daily News,
19 Mar. 2026
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Then Suarez had his go-ahead double that drove in Sanoja.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
18 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
-
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
-
Extreme thoughtfulness went into the property built on the site of a former prominent elementary school, with some of its sakura (cherry blossom) and Japanese maple trees now waving in the breeze after being carefully moved pre-construction and replanted upon completion.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Horne, 68, moved into a brand new house in the Willow Bend area less than a year ago.—
Lilly Kersh,
Dallas Morning News,
21 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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Your 7th House of Care and your 10th House of Jobs are activated by this Venus-Jupiter square, which also affects the New Moon in your practical 6th house.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
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The last time the task force was activated was in 2020.—
Christa Swanson,
CBS News,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
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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 23 Mar. 2026.
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