PROPELLED Synonyms: 56 Similar and Opposite Words

propelled

verb

past tense of propel

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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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

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 propelled But when catastrophe leaves them fighting for survival, they are propelled into an impossible race against time that will test the limits of courage, sacrifice and love. — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 24 Sep. 2026 Now the economy looks stronger, propelled in part by a surge in investment in artificial intelligence. — Matt Peterson, CNBC, 24 Sep. 2026 There is also a section dedicated to Star Wars, the storied sci-fi franchise that propelled George Lucas to fame. — Tim Chan, Footwear News, 20 Sep. 2026 California companies have propelled this movement, turning what was once an old-fashioned way to save money into a booming industry at the cutting edge of style. — Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026 Two high-profile cases have propelled a scary mental health condition into the limelight. — Donna Vickroy, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026 The passionate sweep of a violin bow, propelled by the strum of guitar and a synth-pop beat. — Tania Azhang, Sacbee.com, 17 Sep. 2026 Economic growth has also been on solid footing, though an increasing share of it has been driven by red-hot spending on AI — some of which is now being propelled by credit. — Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 16 Sep. 2026 Our narrow wooden canoe moves slowly across the river, propelled by a small outboard motor. — Sebastián López Brach, The Dial, 15 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for propelled

Verb

Balmaceda also pushed back on the idea that mass popularity and quality are mutually exclusive.

— Anna Marie de la Fuente, Variety, 30 Sep. 2026
Some people felt strongly that kratom should be banned, while others pushed for a regulated marketplace.

— Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of pushed

Verb

That same day, another couple, navy veterans Iris and David Galindo, drove to Moonlight Ridge to pick up their first order of goat milk.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026
The government says the non-oil economy and job creation drove growth in the first half of this year.

— Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of drove

Verb

As Lindstrom’s voice echoed throughout his teammates’ helmets, safety Jessie Bates III shoved him once, then again, and again.

— Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 25 Sep. 2026
Like every fashion trend, barn jackets have enjoyed their time in the limelight, occasionally taking a back seat when trendier options like scarf coats and cropped puffers shoved them offstage.

— Irene Richardson, InStyle, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of shoved

Verb

Use artificial intelligence to identify people who have moved or changed names.

— Mark Lewyn, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026
The season has moved beyond introductions, and Saturday offers another chance to learn which teams are built to stay in the postseason conversation.

— Wilton Jackson, AJC.com, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of moved

Verb

Davidson was thrust into a reality-TV world of prying paparazzi and untold media scrutiny.

— Marlow Stern, Variety, 30 Sep. 2026
While William and Harry have so far declined to comment on their uncle’s book, Wharfe said there was an expectation that the 30-year anniversary of their mother’s death wold inevitably thrust her into the spotlight once again.

— Katie Nicholl, Vanity Fair, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of thrust

Verb

According to the complaint, ICE officers pursued Garces-Perez through commercial and residential areas with emergency lights and sirens activated.

— Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 2026
Facilitators then break into the machine and install malicious software that can be remotely activated to bypass its security systems.

— Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of activated

Verb

Some fifteen years later, her determination to study Schubert lieder with expert teachers was in large part what impelled her to go to Europe.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2026
Despite the challenges, many candidates are impelled by the desire to steer political discourse toward civility and issues that matter most to ordinary citizens.

— The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of impelled

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propellants

propelled

propelling

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“Propelled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/propelled. Accessed 3 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of propelled

verb

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