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
China’s exports will continue to be key in propelling its economy this year, economists believe, but reliance on export growth could now increasingly become a problem.
—
Chan Ho-Him, Fortune, 16 Apr. 2026
What has changed, Cuello said, is that the federal government passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, and executive orders added more changes that are propelling disenrollment.
—Kff Health News, Oc Register, 15 Apr. 2026
Cliff Simon is tremendous as Ba'al, too, with this episode propelling him from background character to primary antagonist for seasons to come.
—Daryl Baxter, Space.com, 14 Apr. 2026
When reentry occurs, Orion's service module responsible for propelling and maneuvering the vehicle through space will separate and burn up, exposing the crew module's heat shield that protects the astronauts from the 3,000-degree Fahrenheit conditions the vehicle will endure.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 10 Apr. 2026
Moritz Seider became the fourth defenseman in franchise history to record a 5-point game, propelling him to 60 on the season.
—Max Bultman, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2026
In the South Coast Conference, Cece Levrault paced the attack with five goals, propelling Apponequet (3-1) to an 18-2 win over Case.
—Tyler McManus, Boston Herald, 7 Apr. 2026
Helium is used in MRI scanners and for propelling rockets.
—Npr Staff, NPR, 7 Apr. 2026
Increasingly, a generation that grew up with smartphones, iPads and Netflix is propelling today’s biggest blockbusters.
—ABC News, 2 Apr. 2026
Chan Ho-Him, Fortune, 16 Apr. 2026
What has changed, Cuello said, is that the federal government passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, and executive orders added more changes that are propelling disenrollment.
—Kff Health News, Oc Register, 15 Apr. 2026
Cliff Simon is tremendous as Ba'al, too, with this episode propelling him from background character to primary antagonist for seasons to come.
—Daryl Baxter, Space.com, 14 Apr. 2026
When reentry occurs, Orion's service module responsible for propelling and maneuvering the vehicle through space will separate and burn up, exposing the crew module's heat shield that protects the astronauts from the 3,000-degree Fahrenheit conditions the vehicle will endure.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 10 Apr. 2026
Moritz Seider became the fourth defenseman in franchise history to record a 5-point game, propelling him to 60 on the season.
—Max Bultman, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2026
In the South Coast Conference, Cece Levrault paced the attack with five goals, propelling Apponequet (3-1) to an 18-2 win over Case.
—Tyler McManus, Boston Herald, 7 Apr. 2026
Helium is used in MRI scanners and for propelling rockets.
—Npr Staff, NPR, 7 Apr. 2026
Increasingly, a generation that grew up with smartphones, iPads and Netflix is propelling today’s biggest blockbusters.
—ABC News, 2 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for propelling
Verb
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Somebody who is just living greatness and never rests on that laurel but is always pushing herself to expand as an artist.—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
21 Apr. 2026
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But for Ternus, perhaps the most critical aspect of his new job will be pushing the company deeper into AI, where it's lagged many of its megacap peers.—
Jennifer Elias,
CNBC,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Meanwhile, government data shows that car insurance prices have soared 55% compared with six years ago, or just before the pandemic, driving up the number of Americans going without.—
Alexa St. John,
Fortune,
11 Apr. 2026
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Smith went 2 for 2 with a walk and double at the plate, driving in 2 runs and scoring a run, all out of the 9 hole in the lineup for Southwest Christian (24-4 overall, 6-1 district).—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In a four-game span, the Philadelphia 76ers star received a technical foul for shoving Donte DiVincenzo, and flagrant fouls for dragging Mitchell Robinson to the floor and swiping Brunson in the head.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
21 Apr. 2026
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In the clip, he can be seen screaming in an airport terminal and shoving a stanchion.—
Christopher Edwards,
PEOPLE,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The tactics are commonly associated with South American theft groups known for operating across state lines and moving quickly from one community to another.—
Abby Dodge,
CBS News,
18 Apr. 2026
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By the end, the movie takes on the hallucinatory feel of an existential horror film, less about where anyone is going than what keeps them moving at all.—
Yvonne Villarreal,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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After fighting to find their way back to one another, Henry and Julia were at the standing stones of Craig Na Dun, hoping to return to their own time, and Brian and Ellen’s romantic escape was interrupted as the 1715 Jacobite Rising began, thrusting the clans into war.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
16 Apr. 2026
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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
Verb
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Caroline Lewis, who is activating students to advocate for policy change, and the Miami Herald’s own chief climate reporter and editor, Alex Harris.—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
16 Apr. 2026
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Kept alive numerous times by the activating Jonathan Aspirot and Jordan Harris, the puck eventually came around to Kastelic low on the left side and Kastelic got his 10th of the year by beating Greaves on a bad-angle short-side shot.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
13 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Propelling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/propelling. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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