1
as in pushes
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 drives
to set or keep in motion
the aircraft is propelled by a pair of turboprop engines
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of propels
In a way, the relationship between Steve Rogers (Captain America) and Bucky (his sidekick) propels the entire MCU.
—
Bethy Squires, Vulture, 23 Feb. 2026
The victory propels him inside the top 25.
—CBS News, 23 Feb. 2026
The victory propels him inside the top 25.
—Dallas Morning News, 22 Feb. 2026
Ilia Malinin’s dominant free skate propels the United States to its second consecutive team figure skating gold at the Milan-Cortina Olympics.
—Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2026
Rocking technology built directly into the insoles propels you forward with every step, and Vibram outsoles offer excellent grip on both trail and street terrain.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 31 Jan. 2026
Spencer Platt | Getty Images Starbucks on Wednesday reported mixed quarterly results as the company's turnaround propels traffic growth for the first time in two years but weighs on its bottom line.
—Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 28 Jan. 2026
Despite the hardships, the loving childhood environment propels young Melvin Kaminsky to break out into show business, change his name, and seek global adoration.
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 22 Jan. 2026
January’s energy is moving quickly for you, almost as if the universe is opening a series of doors all at once, and the Eight of Wands brings a surge of momentum that propels you into plans or conversations that had previously been stalled.
—Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Jan. 2026
Bethy Squires, Vulture, 23 Feb. 2026
The victory propels him inside the top 25.
—CBS News, 23 Feb. 2026
The victory propels him inside the top 25.
—Dallas Morning News, 22 Feb. 2026
Ilia Malinin’s dominant free skate propels the United States to its second consecutive team figure skating gold at the Milan-Cortina Olympics.
—Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2026
Rocking technology built directly into the insoles propels you forward with every step, and Vibram outsoles offer excellent grip on both trail and street terrain.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 31 Jan. 2026
Spencer Platt | Getty Images Starbucks on Wednesday reported mixed quarterly results as the company's turnaround propels traffic growth for the first time in two years but weighs on its bottom line.
—Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 28 Jan. 2026
Despite the hardships, the loving childhood environment propels young Melvin Kaminsky to break out into show business, change his name, and seek global adoration.
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 22 Jan. 2026
January’s energy is moving quickly for you, almost as if the universe is opening a series of doors all at once, and the Eight of Wands brings a surge of momentum that propels you into plans or conversations that had previously been stalled.
—Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for propels
Verb
-
Other pushes Trump made in his speech have slimmer prospects of becoming law this year, such as his package of health care proposals that would redirect Affordable Care Act subsidies directly to consumers’ health savings accounts.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Johanna pulls off her mother’s jacket, knocks her to the ground, and pushes up her sleeve to uncover the scars of her mother’s long-ago suicide attempt.—
Elaine Blair,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
There’s a two-story vaulted window with a view of the hillside, a keyboard, a sofa, crates for when Fleming drives up with his three rescue dogs (Daysy, Erik, and Luchie, two pit mixes and a miniature poodle), and a vintage Mork & Mindy poster on the wall.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
26 Feb. 2026
-
That silver spot price is what drives the baseline value of silver coins.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Levi shoves someone just out of the frame, demands to know who threw stones, and later fires a shot, seemingly away from the crowd.—
Sam Metz,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Feb. 2026
-
The agent shoves the observer again, and then turns his attention to Pretti, pushing him out of the way before shoving the observer to the ground.—
Yahya Abou-Ghazala,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The victory also moves the Horned Frogs closer to a regular season Big 12 title as TCU sits a full game ahead of West Virginia (22-6, 12-4) and Baylor (23-6, 12-4) in the league standings with just two games remaining.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Maybe when the sun moves, the players will accept a cap.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Scientists have discovered that a soft, loving caress activates specific nerve fibers that light up parts of the brain associated with emotion, not just sensation.—
The New York Times News Service Syndicate,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Feb. 2026
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Crushing or chopping garlic activates allicin, its key compound, and fresh ginger provides gingerol.—
Heather Jones,
Verywell Health,
23 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Propels.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/propels. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.
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