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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of propelled
The benefits are propelled thanks to a patented Hydroxysome Adenosine dermal delivery system, which basically allows the anti-aging actives to penetrate deeper into skin.
—
Eva Thomas, InStyle, 7 Jan. 2026
Mamdani won the most votes of any New York City mayor in 60 years, propelled by his focus on working-class issues.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 1 Jan. 2026
The pair is swept up in White House intrigue, propelled by a potboiler narrative about a terrorist attack on a British aircraft carrier.
—David Faris, TheWeek, 29 Dec. 2025
This one propelled the team to a win.
—Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 27 Dec. 2025
Reisman played with the traditional hardbat paddle, while the Bombay, which has become the standard for table tennis, has a smooth, thin layer of rubber that propelled the ball at greater speeds, according to The New York Times.
—Avalon Hester, PEOPLE, 25 Dec. 2025
From starting the American Football League to its merger with the NFL, from revolutionizing the game to naming the Super Bowl, Dad consistently looked to the future and propelled the game forward for nearly half a century.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 22 Dec. 2025
With this single, Gou propelled herself into the dance music world, then onto the global stage, and hasn’t slowed down since.
—Kelly Washington, Refinery29, 22 Dec. 2025
California historian Ed Allen sees connections between the Gold Rush era and the state's entrepreneurial culture, which has propelled California into a global powerhouse ‒ the nation's most populous state and the world's fourth-largest economy.
—Andre Byik, USA Today, 10 Nov. 2025
Eva Thomas, InStyle, 7 Jan. 2026
Mamdani won the most votes of any New York City mayor in 60 years, propelled by his focus on working-class issues.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 1 Jan. 2026
The pair is swept up in White House intrigue, propelled by a potboiler narrative about a terrorist attack on a British aircraft carrier.
—David Faris, TheWeek, 29 Dec. 2025
This one propelled the team to a win.
—Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 27 Dec. 2025
Reisman played with the traditional hardbat paddle, while the Bombay, which has become the standard for table tennis, has a smooth, thin layer of rubber that propelled the ball at greater speeds, according to The New York Times.
—Avalon Hester, PEOPLE, 25 Dec. 2025
From starting the American Football League to its merger with the NFL, from revolutionizing the game to naming the Super Bowl, Dad consistently looked to the future and propelled the game forward for nearly half a century.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 22 Dec. 2025
With this single, Gou propelled herself into the dance music world, then onto the global stage, and hasn’t slowed down since.
—Kelly Washington, Refinery29, 22 Dec. 2025
California historian Ed Allen sees connections between the Gold Rush era and the state's entrepreneurial culture, which has propelled California into a global powerhouse ‒ the nation's most populous state and the world's fourth-largest economy.
—Andre Byik, USA Today, 10 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for propelled
Verb
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DeSantis, a Republican, has prioritized Everglades restoration and pushed to expedite the reservoir’s construction during his two terms in office.—
Amy Green,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Erik Karlsson pushed his career-best home points streak to nine games with a goal, while Connor Dewar and Blake Lizotte also scored for Pittsburgh.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Muñoz-Guatemala then drove with the Taser hanging out of the car window, and was arrested about a mile away by local police officers.—
Allison Gordon,
CNN Money,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The suspect drove around the area before surrendering to police in Atwater Village.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In at least some of the assaults on federal officers, people have shoved them or thrown objects.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Spurs forward Julian Champagnie immediately shoved Vanderbilt as Fox remained between the players, trying to keep them separated.—
Oc Register,
Oc Register,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
They are felt as they are composed, painfully, joyously, cellularly—and they are designed for other biological beings to experience, to connect with, to be animated, provoked and moved by.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Led by quarterback Tony Pike, the Bearcats moved quickly down the field, setting up a first down at Pitt’s 29-yard line with 33 seconds left.—
The Athletic College Football Staff,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
He's rubbed elbows with corporate executives who are interested in Pennsylvania as a data center destination and thrust Pennsylvania into competition for billions of dollars being spent on manufacturing and artificial intelligence infrastructure.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Eventually, he was thrust into a starting safety role during the 2021 playoffs due to injury.—
Mike Kaye
January 8,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
And that was several weeks before Johnson pulled his shirt off after a statement 24-15 Black Friday victory over the Eagles, some spur-of-the-moment rambunctiousness that activated a free hot dog promotion at The Wiener’s Circle in Chicago.—
Dan Wiederer,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
-
The school activated a hold-in-place, Granadillo explained, keeping students from leaving the classroom.—
Molly Morrow,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
While the recent protests were sparked by the social media ban, protesters said that they had been impelled by years of government corruption and failure to provide young people with economic opportunities.—
Alia Shoaib,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Propelled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/propelled. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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