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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of propels
To claim, however, that Russian pressure automatically propels Armenian voters toward Europe would be naïve and analytically superficial.
—
Nathan Hodge, CNN Money, 8 June 2026
That hope is also what propels Uranowitz's Tateh.
—ABC News, 6 June 2026
The project significantly propels forward the evolution of the downtown location — mirrored by libraries across the country — that seeks to transform what was once a place just for books into a civic hub that brings people together to both celebrate the community but also work on its challenges.
—Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 1 June 2026
Of course, the pivotal thing was to create an inciting incident that propels the story without clunky exposition.
—Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 23 May 2026
The rocker outsole propels feet forward, which comes in handy on long, technical trails, while a Gore-tex upper keeps water out during surprise spring showers.
—Francesca Krempa, Travel + Leisure, 16 May 2026
The difference is that a healthy Eagles offensive line propels the running game in this matchup, while the passing game takes time to find its rhythm.
—Zach Berman, New York Times, 15 May 2026
This propels Qualcomm into the fourth-largest automotive semiconductor vendor position, behind Infineon, NXP, and TI, all of which have struggled to post flat-to-slow revenue growth over the same period.
—Francis Sideco, Forbes.com, 14 May 2026
Their cyber hacking uncovers more than just corrupt money and that propels them into bamboozling Heard’s model daughter (Jessica Reynolds, a standout in an impressive young cast).
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 13 May 2026
Nathan Hodge, CNN Money, 8 June 2026
That hope is also what propels Uranowitz's Tateh.
—ABC News, 6 June 2026
The project significantly propels forward the evolution of the downtown location — mirrored by libraries across the country — that seeks to transform what was once a place just for books into a civic hub that brings people together to both celebrate the community but also work on its challenges.
—Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 1 June 2026
Of course, the pivotal thing was to create an inciting incident that propels the story without clunky exposition.
—Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 23 May 2026
The rocker outsole propels feet forward, which comes in handy on long, technical trails, while a Gore-tex upper keeps water out during surprise spring showers.
—Francesca Krempa, Travel + Leisure, 16 May 2026
The difference is that a healthy Eagles offensive line propels the running game in this matchup, while the passing game takes time to find its rhythm.
—Zach Berman, New York Times, 15 May 2026
This propels Qualcomm into the fourth-largest automotive semiconductor vendor position, behind Infineon, NXP, and TI, all of which have struggled to post flat-to-slow revenue growth over the same period.
—Francis Sideco, Forbes.com, 14 May 2026
Their cyber hacking uncovers more than just corrupt money and that propels them into bamboozling Heard’s model daughter (Jessica Reynolds, a standout in an impressive young cast).
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 13 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for propels
Verb
-
The Aries Moon pushes your mind toward bigger plans, but your best move may be stepping away long enough to feel what is true.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
9 June 2026
-
Even if a possible outbreak pushes up prices, the changes would be incremental rather than a sudden jump like the price of eggs during the bird flu outbreak.—
Ramishah Maruf,
CNN Money,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
At a time when corporate values are often reduced to wall art and mission statements, Paul Ingram has spent years studying what actually drives human behavior inside organizations.—
Rodger Dean Duncan,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
-
As Legendary’s Chief Marketing and Commercial Officer, Rich drives the global vision of marketing, branding, communications, while focusing on expanding the studio’s business through new technologies in marketing and data analytics.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
Alas, Shao Khan smashes Cole’s head with a hammer, Gallagher style, and shoves his body into a vat of acid.—
James Grebey,
Vulture,
12 May 2026
-
Our boy runs up, shoves the other player, and gets the ball.—
Joe Kinsey OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
As the aircraft moves backward, the pilot starts each of the primary engines and brings them up to a stable idle.—
David Szondy
June 07,
New Atlas,
7 June 2026
-
Printed circuit boards are the nervous system of every modern device, and when board costs spike, the pain moves fast through phones, laptops, wearables, gaming consoles, routers, and AI servers.—
Kevin Williams,
CNBC,
7 June 2026
Verb
-
With swift footwork, Bottura activates his celebrity to focus the world’s attention on the tragedy in Modena.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
-
The carrier's new Unlimited Day Pass, available on eSIM-capable unlocked iPads, does not require a contract or a credit check before a $3 payment activates 24 hours of mobile broadband.—
Rob Pegoraro,
PC Magazine,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
And so, our mission – grounded in both truth and love – impels us to discern the motives that shape events, and the shifts in thought that drive human progress through higher ideals of justice, mercy, and wisdom.—
Christa Case Bryant,
Christian Science Monitor,
3 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Propels.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/propels. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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