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 In any traditional chase scene, a clear understanding of hero and villain propels the action forward. — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 16 Sep. 2026 Garcia’s comes from standing up straight in his orthodox stance but is driven by his back leg, which propels him forward. — Chris McKenna, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026 The shoe has a rocker forefoot that propels you forward and keeps you feeling fast and light. — Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 5 Sep. 2026 The main thing that propels Jordan Brand’s retro business is the unique look of its classic sneakers, many of which introduced industry-first designs. — Riley Jones, Footwear News, 1 Sep. 2026 His attempt to discover what he is supposed to be doing propels him through a succession of increasingly strange encounters, as his search for purpose becomes entangled with his desire for love, friendship and some kind of place in the world. — Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 28 Aug. 2026 This is partly what propels his mole demi-glace, a convergence of inspirations realized in a duck and smoked chicken stock sharpened by the foundational components of mole. — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for propels

Verb

The track never pushes too hard; its momentum comes from a nimble bassline, quick phrasing, and a chorus that lands with effortless precision.

— Brittney Williams, Billboard, 23 Sep. 2026
An industrial controller pushes a button Getting the refrigeration system and ground loops working was only part of the challenge.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of pushes

Verb

Sandra Lim, The Curious Thing While there is an undercurrent of a breakup throughout this collection, particularly in the third section, what drives this book is a reorientation of the self in the world.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026
Speakers noted the Republican nominee's oil and gas investments as the energy sector amasses profits while the Iran war drives up fuel costs.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of drives

Verb

When Molly holds out her empty hand, Yvette stares at it, then shoves her dustpan under one arm, laces her fingers through Molly’s.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2026
The video shows Ron Thompson appear to swing at Thompson, and Stephanie Daniels shoves her.

— Grant Lancaster, Arkansas Online, 9 July 2026

Definition of shoves

Verb

Santiago’s next hearing is scheduled for September 21, the first of what could be a lengthy series of court proceedings as the case moves forward.

— Julianna Bragg, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2026
Central Florida will see more widespread showers and thunderstorms this weekend and into next week as a disturbance moves across the region and brings additional moisture, according to the National Weather Service in Melbourne.

— Keily Alfonzo, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of moves

Verb

One of those earlier findings was that the ectoderm of the early embryo activates two genes, one in the front half of the embryo, one in the back.

— JOHN TIMMER, ArsTechnica, 23 Sep. 2026
When the thermostat calls for cooling, the PLC activates the actuator, which physically presses the window unit’s power button.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 23 Sep. 2026