1
as in pushing
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 driving
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 propelling
The new project reversed that trajectory, propelling the noughties icon back into the cultural conversation.
—
Amy Francombe, Vogue, 4 Mar. 2026
That stored energy releases in a snap, propelling the robot into the air.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 3 Mar. 2026
The money funded terrorist attacks that undermined Israeli confidence in the peace process, propelling Oslo skeptic Benjamin Netanyahu to the prime ministership in 1996.
—Ron Kampeas, Sun Sentinel, 2 Mar. 2026
Released in November 2023, the track quickly became a cultural phenomenon, propelling the Mexican American singer-songwriter to prominence by early 2024.
—Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 28 Feb. 2026
Those boosters and the Vulcan's own main booster eventually separated from the upper-stage, known as Centaur V, which used its two engines to continue propelling the payload to about 22,000 miles high.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 27 Feb. 2026
SoftBank shares hit a record high in late October on the back of the AI boom, briefly propelling Son to be once again Japan’s richest man.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 24 Feb. 2026
In January, a measure of consumer confidence fell to its lowest level since 2014, yet consumers have kept spending, propelling growth.
—Matt Ott, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2026
Talarico's Viral Interview Spurs Fundraising Surge Talarico's appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert ignited a wave of online interest, triggering a spike in Google searches and propelling him into the national political conversation.
—Jack Fink, CBS News, 22 Feb. 2026
Amy Francombe, Vogue, 4 Mar. 2026
That stored energy releases in a snap, propelling the robot into the air.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 3 Mar. 2026
The money funded terrorist attacks that undermined Israeli confidence in the peace process, propelling Oslo skeptic Benjamin Netanyahu to the prime ministership in 1996.
—Ron Kampeas, Sun Sentinel, 2 Mar. 2026
Released in November 2023, the track quickly became a cultural phenomenon, propelling the Mexican American singer-songwriter to prominence by early 2024.
—Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 28 Feb. 2026
Those boosters and the Vulcan's own main booster eventually separated from the upper-stage, known as Centaur V, which used its two engines to continue propelling the payload to about 22,000 miles high.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 27 Feb. 2026
SoftBank shares hit a record high in late October on the back of the AI boom, briefly propelling Son to be once again Japan’s richest man.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 24 Feb. 2026
In January, a measure of consumer confidence fell to its lowest level since 2014, yet consumers have kept spending, propelling growth.
—Matt Ott, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2026
Talarico's Viral Interview Spurs Fundraising Surge Talarico's appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert ignited a wave of online interest, triggering a spike in Google searches and propelling him into the national political conversation.
—Jack Fink, CBS News, 22 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for propelling
Verb
-
Is there a path for states to keep pushing for a Live Nation breakup?—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Some lawmakers are pushing back.—
Andrew Graham
March 9,
Sacbee.com,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
While driving - Stick to the middle lanes and stay on elevated ground.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Aiden Robbins took the most substantial swing of the night in that inning, driving a two-run, back-side home run to right field.—
David Eckert,
Austin American Statesman,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Video captured of the incident shows people rushing into the lobby, throwing punches and shoving a man in a suit who appears to work at the complex.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
-
The bodyguard, who is also a San Francisco police officer, is then seen shoving Phillips, knocking him off his feet.—
Jose Fabian,
CBS News,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Kiwis moving abroad is not uncommon, and more Kiwis generally are choosing to leave than before; in the year ending November 2025, almost 122,000 people emigrated, a 4% jump from the previous year and higher than a previous spike in 2012.—
Laura Sharman,
CNN Money,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Ultimately, what this study’s findings highlight is that planning for a slow-moving, politically contentious issue like sea-level rise, one that doesn’t have the immediacy of a wildfire or an earthquake, is complex and constantly evolving.—
Marcos Magaña,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
As soon as Clay spotted Liston spitting out his mouthpiece between rounds, meaning he was done for the night, Clay stood in his corner, thrusting his arms high, opening a new, exciting and unpredictable chapter in American sport.—
John Nogowski,
Hartford Courant,
1 Mar. 2026
-
Its opening coincided with the Great Recession, thrusting the hotel into instant financial trouble.—
Zachary Hansen,
AJC.com,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Stepping into a room that hot triggers an immediate stress reaction, activating the sympathetic arm of the nervous system, the fight-or-flight response.—
Will Stone,
NPR,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Many started online by going to the same shock site, and activating their own profile.—
Natalie Eilbert,
jsonline.com,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Propelling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/propelling. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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