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 The system uses the firm’s Prometheus electromagnetic accelerator that propels test materials through simulated weather. — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 2 July 2026 The ship’s engine propels it when wind conditions are poor, giving the crew more control over its port schedule. — Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 1 July 2026 The cluster transforms an already-formidable single-node machine into a genuine AI home lab, one that propels you beyond hobbyist curiosity into real-world experimentation. — Charles Jefferies, PC Magazine, 30 June 2026 Repetition propels us towards one night in November of 1975 when everything changes, but not in the way the heroine (or the reader) was led to expect. — Literary Hub, 11 June 2026 The new number — roughly $63 million — propels Mahomes to the top of the league’s quarterback market. — Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 10 June 2026 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 They’re built with a rocker silhouette that propels your foot forward while making heel-to-toe transitions smoother. — Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 8 June 2026 That hope is also what propels Uranowitz's Tateh. — ABC News, 6 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for propels

Verb

Despite the unlikely duo closing in, the crime ring pushes past their limits, putting everything on the line for their beliefs — and their most ambitious heist yet.

— Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 10 July 2026
This pushes brands to adopt medical terminology and focus on biological aging mechanisms, as seen with LYMA's new skincare system, developed with scientists and boasting clinical improvements like 71% hydration.

— Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

Definition of pushes

Verb

There is little reason to believe that a careful weighing of risk and benefit really drives interest in Colossal’s de-extinction efforts.

— Taylor Dotson, Scientific American, 10 July 2026
During his winter drives up Interstate 80 toward Lake Tahoe, Sean Bigley keeps his eyes peeled.

— Corey Schmidt July 10, Sacbee.com, 10 July 2026

Definition of drives

Verb

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
In the video, the officers appear to shout at the man walking near multiple vehicles before a group shoves the man toward the sidewalk.

— Dan Raby, CBS News, 18 June 2026

Definition of shoves

Verb

Instead of using a remote or control panel, the player moves into position and signals with a simple hand gesture for the ball, and the AI biometrics locate and pinpoint the player position.

— Shirl Leigh July 13, New Atlas, 13 July 2026
This recent flight, announced this week, confirmed the drone’s flight controls and performance as the program moves closer to carrier use.

— Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 13 July 2026

Definition of moves

Verb

The emergency declaration activates the state agriculture department’s relief resources to help farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses recover.

— Diego Mendoza, CNN Money, 16 July 2026
Argentina fans, meanwhile, are unique in all sports—other countries have fan bases that get loud, but a stadium full of Argentineans activates something primordial.

— Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 16 July 2026