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
Relevance
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
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 propelling
Their concern was that Sliwa would take votes away from Cuomo, propelling Mamdani to victory.
—
Rachel Treisman, NPR, 5 Nov. 2025
His extensive experience in all facets of luxury fashion will be invaluable in propelling the business forward and building a strong future.
—Vogue Business Team, Vogue, 4 Nov. 2025
Its successes against a military government that has Russian backing have already underscored the growing regional instability, which is spreading increasing chaos and propelling ever more migrants toward Europe and other more stable West African states and increasing political frictions there.
—Matthew Tostevin, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
Class 3 e-bikes, which have a motor that provides assistance when the rider is pedaling and is not capable of exclusively propelling the bike, are the fastest class of e-bikes, maxing out at 28 mph.
—Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Nov. 2025
The rhythm is so propelling, not a minute goes wasted.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 29 Oct. 2025
New York time, propelling Nvidia over the milestone.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 29 Oct. 2025
Freeman’s solo home run in the 18th inning against the Toronto Blue Jays ended a game tied for the longest in World Series history, propelling Los Angeles to a 6-5 win and a 2-1 series lead.
—Christian Orozco, NBC news, 28 Oct. 2025
The reality series started in 2007, propelling the entire Kardashian-Jenner clan to impressive levels of fame and giving them the opportunity to build a business empire.
—Michael Nied, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
Rachel Treisman, NPR, 5 Nov. 2025
His extensive experience in all facets of luxury fashion will be invaluable in propelling the business forward and building a strong future.
—Vogue Business Team, Vogue, 4 Nov. 2025
Its successes against a military government that has Russian backing have already underscored the growing regional instability, which is spreading increasing chaos and propelling ever more migrants toward Europe and other more stable West African states and increasing political frictions there.
—Matthew Tostevin, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
Class 3 e-bikes, which have a motor that provides assistance when the rider is pedaling and is not capable of exclusively propelling the bike, are the fastest class of e-bikes, maxing out at 28 mph.
—Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Nov. 2025
The rhythm is so propelling, not a minute goes wasted.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 29 Oct. 2025
New York time, propelling Nvidia over the milestone.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 29 Oct. 2025
Freeman’s solo home run in the 18th inning against the Toronto Blue Jays ended a game tied for the longest in World Series history, propelling Los Angeles to a 6-5 win and a 2-1 series lead.
—Christian Orozco, NBC news, 28 Oct. 2025
The reality series started in 2007, propelling the entire Kardashian-Jenner clan to impressive levels of fame and giving them the opportunity to build a business empire.
—Michael Nied, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for propelling
Verb
-
Democrats are pushing to extend soon-to-expire health care tax credits and reverse earlier Medicaid cuts, but Republicans have rejected those proposals.—
Aliss Higham,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The partisan scramble was sparked by Trump pushing Texas and other Republican-majority states to redistrict to preserve the party’s majority in the House, prompting Democrats to launch their own efforts to push back.—
Solcyré Burga,
Time,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
While driving - Stick to the middle lanes and stay on elevated ground.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Take extra caution when on the road or avoid driving if possible.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
After shoving a shark up to the surface, the orcas rolled it onto its back.—
Ashley Balzer Vigil,
Scientific American,
2 Nov. 2025
-
The 2022 first-round pick was ejected twice as a rookie, first for shoving a Buffalo Bills practice squad player after a play that spilled into Buffalo’s sideline during a 10-point Bills win in Week 8.—
Matt Schneidman,
New York Times,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York voted against moving ahead with the package, along with all but eight of his Democratic colleagues.—
Orianna Rosa Royle,
Fortune,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Director Michael Arden, meanwhile, is up to his elbows just moving the cumbersome Legos of Dane Laffrey’s set around.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Head coach Sean McVay certainly acted like it, thrusting his fists through the air in triumph as Verse skipped down the field, howling at the sparsely populated crowd at M&T Bank Stadium.—
Adam Grosbard,
Oc Register,
12 Oct. 2025
-
The Rockets believe Thompson still has tremendous potential that has yet to be unlocked, and the hope is that thrusting him into the starting point guard role will push him to reach new heights.—
William Guillory,
New York Times,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Voclosporin is a next-generation calcineurin inhibitor (CNI), a class of drugs that suppresses the immune system by blocking calcineurin, an enzyme required for activating T-cells—a type of white blood cell central to immune responses.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Mars wraps up its journey through Scorpio, which has been activating your career and legacy zone for weeks.—
Dossé-Via Trenou,
Refinery29,
2 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Propelling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/propelling. Accessed 11 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share