PROPELS Synonyms: 55 Similar and Opposite Words

propels

verb

present tense third-person singular of propel

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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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 More importantly, part of what propels the narrative in the book is Bret being the only one of his friends to see a dark side to Robert. — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 13 Aug. 2026 In fact, sometimes the name is what propels us toward development in the first place. — Chris Morocco, Bon Appetit Magazine, 13 Aug. 2026 Brands should get in before this propels the actor even further into the mainstream. — Madeleine Schulz, Vogue, 12 Aug. 2026 This code motivates us and propels us toward our own personal growth cycles. — Sharon Daniels, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026 While scoping out the attraction, the little fox ended up slipping into the waterway that propels the ride, leaving the animal treading water while rafts full of concerned parkgoers passed by. — Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 6 Aug. 2026 Highlights will include the world’s first upside-down launch, a final launch that propels the train to 100 mph, and a thrilling 180-degree bank spiral that offers breathtaking views of the park below. — Carly Caramanna, Travel + Leisure, 29 July 2026 And the guilt, shame and social stigma surrounding these crimes compounds the loneliness that propels so many victims into scams in the first place. — Juliet Linderman, Fortune, 16 July 2026 Relentless, seething power propels you down the strip faster than your body and brain can cope with. — New Atlas, 13 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for propels

Verb

Las Vegas — Under a canopy shielding them from the desert sun that pushes temperatures to nearly 110 degrees, Las Vegas tourists rode zip lines down Fremont Street.

— Andy Rose, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026
The Brazilian fakes a dribble with his left, and immediately pushes the ball into space with his right.

— Ahmed Walid, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of pushes

Verb

The video shows Ron Thompson appear to swing at Thompson, and Stephanie Daniels shoves her.

— Grant Lancaster, Arkansas Online, 9 July 2026
Here in the famous Festival Theatre, the sprite Ariel, played in splendidly sprightly fashion by Marissa Orjalo, opens up the top of a piano, a piece of island flotsam and Prospero, in the form of the veteran actor Geraint Wyn Davies, shoves his coat inside, throws up his hands and closes the lid.

— Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2026

Definition of shoves

Verb

Trainers then lead participants in a 45-minute full-body workout before the class moves into another room fashioned as a recovery space with art and quiet music.

— Sneha Dhandapani, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026
Interestingly, the researchers also found that the three-dimensional arrangement or atomic orientation of the material could create different ray patterns, giving us more control over how heat moves through the material.

— Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of moves

Verb

Kohler’s Dekoda, one of the newest entries, activates with a fingerprint tap on a remote.

— Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Aug. 2026
This celestial season activates your expansive ninth house of adventure, education and exposure, inspiring you to take a leap of faith or perhaps even embark on a meaningful trip.

— Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 22 Aug. 2026