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
Relevance
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
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 propels
This refers to missiles with at least two rocket engines, one allowing the missile to reach space, and the other propels it to its target, at a range of up to 4,000 kilometers (2,500 miles).
—
Azhar Sukri, CNBC, 22 Mar. 2026
The novel’s intimacy serves as an emotional call to the reader and propels the story as much as the goings-on do.
—Cathleen Schine, The New York Review of Books, 19 Mar. 2026
Energy propels the film forward a bit more than the plot when the exact reasons why Nick feels compelled to spare Mike have to remain shrouded in mystery.
—Stephen Saito, Variety, 16 Mar. 2026
Coach Wes Miller hopes this previous momentum propels his team into the NCAA Tournament.
—Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 11 Mar. 2026
The good opinion of your boss or colleagues propels you into a new career opportunity.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 9 Mar. 2026
These work by reflecting light from their surface, creating a small force that propels the craft forward.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 8 Mar. 2026
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
Azhar Sukri, CNBC, 22 Mar. 2026
The novel’s intimacy serves as an emotional call to the reader and propels the story as much as the goings-on do.
—Cathleen Schine, The New York Review of Books, 19 Mar. 2026
Energy propels the film forward a bit more than the plot when the exact reasons why Nick feels compelled to spare Mike have to remain shrouded in mystery.
—Stephen Saito, Variety, 16 Mar. 2026
Coach Wes Miller hopes this previous momentum propels his team into the NCAA Tournament.
—Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 11 Mar. 2026
The good opinion of your boss or colleagues propels you into a new career opportunity.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 9 Mar. 2026
These work by reflecting light from their surface, creating a small force that propels the craft forward.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 8 Mar. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for propels
Verb
-
Those RMDs don’t care whether the market is down or whether pulling money pushes you into a higher bracket.—
Allison Palmer,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
17 Mar. 2026
-
That pressure pushes down on the air underneath it, compressing and heating it.—
Andrew Freedman,
CNN Money,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) drives to the paint against Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson (1) during the first half of an NBA basketball game at American Airlines Center on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, in Dallas.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
19 Mar. 2026
-
In our communities, and even in our families, tribalism drives us not merely to disagree with but to despise one another.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
And that’s even before Julian cuts open his mother’s corpse and shoves his hand inside of it to feel close to her for the first time in his life!—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
20 Mar. 2026
-
But for a mine, all that needs to happen is a vessel pulls up, shoves one overboard, and moves on.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
While those numbers aren’t going to win you any awards, Ngongba’s presence will be important as Duke moves into the next weekend of the tournament.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
22 Mar. 2026
-
This obviously affecting everything that moves around the country.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The moody Moon activates your 3rd House of Chatter while squaring radical Uranus in your 6th House of Sensibility, prompting updates in accordance with shifting timelines.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Leaning forward demands strength and stability in your core and lower back, while a rowing motion activates your shoulder, arm, and upper back muscles.—
Jenessa Connor,
Health,
11 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Propels.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/propels. Accessed 24 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
