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
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
Its midsole is made with a special foam that propels you forward, making getting to that next step a little easier.
—Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 28 Dec. 2025
The personal connection propels her mission to humanize an experience shared by a large portion (90 percent) of all people who menstruate.
—Benjamin Cannon, The Atlantic, 23 Dec. 2025
This apparatus propels projectiles to velocities reaching 8 kilometers per second, which translates to approximately 18,000 miles per hour.
—Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 18 Dec. 2025
This perspective propels our story beyond biological evolution and into planetary evolution.
—Quanta Magazine, 15 Dec. 2025
Mayer supplied the mighty riff that propels the tune.
—Sarah Rodman, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Dec. 2025
The rocket entered orbit as planned, but its first stage – the portion of the vehicle that propels it at liftoff – did not successfully return to a landing site, instead crashing down, the company said in a statement.
—Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 3 Dec. 2025
This is the foundation that propels Basamh Group toward the future, making legacy a true launchpad for what comes next.
—CBS News, 18 Nov. 2025
Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Jan. 2026
Its midsole is made with a special foam that propels you forward, making getting to that next step a little easier.
—Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 28 Dec. 2025
The personal connection propels her mission to humanize an experience shared by a large portion (90 percent) of all people who menstruate.
—Benjamin Cannon, The Atlantic, 23 Dec. 2025
This apparatus propels projectiles to velocities reaching 8 kilometers per second, which translates to approximately 18,000 miles per hour.
—Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 18 Dec. 2025
This perspective propels our story beyond biological evolution and into planetary evolution.
—Quanta Magazine, 15 Dec. 2025
Mayer supplied the mighty riff that propels the tune.
—Sarah Rodman, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Dec. 2025
The rocket entered orbit as planned, but its first stage – the portion of the vehicle that propels it at liftoff – did not successfully return to a landing site, instead crashing down, the company said in a statement.
—Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 3 Dec. 2025
This is the foundation that propels Basamh Group toward the future, making legacy a true launchpad for what comes next.
—CBS News, 18 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for propels
Verb
-
Kenya licensed 42 new digital lenders, raising the country’s total number to 195, as the central bank pushes to formalize a sector that has become an important part of East Africa’s largest economy.—
Preeti Jha,
semafor.com,
9 Jan. 2026
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The financial asset label pushes prediction markets toward the exclusive jurisdiction of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), a federal agency, and grants immunity from state gambling laws and taxes on gross betting revenue.—
Dan Bernstein,
Sportico.com,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
When the temperature drops below 32 degrees and a glowing snowflake on the dashboard warns of icy roads, my car practically drives itself to Lighthouse Tofu in Annandale.—
Elazar Sontag,
Washington Post,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Those near misses helped extend Ole Miss drives at times.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Around the summer solstice the alligator mother shoves vegetation from her wetland habitat into a pile to create a nest.—
Elizabeth Preston,
Scientific American,
16 Dec. 2025
-
When Arthur tries to stop the stranger who has invaded his home from rifling through his drawers, Frank shoves the frail man to the ground.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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One slightly wrong rate in a budget, procurement forecast, or loan estimate easily moves millions of dollars in the wrong direction.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The Honda moves forward, turning to the right.—
Devon Lum,
Twin Cities,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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When the steering wheel is retracted, the vehicle activates a passenger airbag integrated into the instrument panel.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Beginning with a spark early in the year, as a solar eclipse in Aquarius activates your romantic and creative side, don’t be surprised if love feels playful again, as this new beginning encourages flirtation, spontaneity and intellectual expression.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Propels.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/propels. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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