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
Of course, the pivotal thing was to create an inciting incident that propels the story without clunky exposition.
—
Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 23 May 2026
The rocker outsole propels feet forward, which comes in handy on long, technical trails, while a Gore-tex upper keeps water out during surprise spring showers.
—Francesca Krempa, Travel + Leisure, 16 May 2026
The difference is that a healthy Eagles offensive line propels the running game in this matchup, while the passing game takes time to find its rhythm.
—Zach Berman, New York Times, 15 May 2026
This propels Qualcomm into the fourth-largest automotive semiconductor vendor position, behind Infineon, NXP, and TI, all of which have struggled to post flat-to-slow revenue growth over the same period.
—Francis Sideco, Forbes.com, 14 May 2026
Their cyber hacking uncovers more than just corrupt money and that propels them into bamboozling Heard’s model daughter (Jessica Reynolds, a standout in an impressive young cast).
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 13 May 2026
The rolling wheels-of-a-dream metaphor no longer propels the show in this simpler revival from Lear deBessonet; the director makes a conscious effort to eschew the bold statements about America in favor of tightening the focus on the little clutch of individuals whom Doctorow so vividly imagined.
—Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2026
The force that propels me is a simple and deep desire to be useful.
—Literary Hub, 6 May 2026
That partnership propels their next chapter, even as scrutiny persists.
—Simon Perry, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 2026
Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 23 May 2026
The rocker outsole propels feet forward, which comes in handy on long, technical trails, while a Gore-tex upper keeps water out during surprise spring showers.
—Francesca Krempa, Travel + Leisure, 16 May 2026
The difference is that a healthy Eagles offensive line propels the running game in this matchup, while the passing game takes time to find its rhythm.
—Zach Berman, New York Times, 15 May 2026
This propels Qualcomm into the fourth-largest automotive semiconductor vendor position, behind Infineon, NXP, and TI, all of which have struggled to post flat-to-slow revenue growth over the same period.
—Francis Sideco, Forbes.com, 14 May 2026
Their cyber hacking uncovers more than just corrupt money and that propels them into bamboozling Heard’s model daughter (Jessica Reynolds, a standout in an impressive young cast).
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 13 May 2026
The rolling wheels-of-a-dream metaphor no longer propels the show in this simpler revival from Lear deBessonet; the director makes a conscious effort to eschew the bold statements about America in favor of tightening the focus on the little clutch of individuals whom Doctorow so vividly imagined.
—Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2026
The force that propels me is a simple and deep desire to be useful.
—Literary Hub, 6 May 2026
That partnership propels their next chapter, even as scrutiny persists.
—Simon Perry, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for propels
Verb
-
Cater pushes back on the idea that cutting carbs entirely is the answer.—
Samantha Agate,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 June 2026
-
That lag pushes the peak of sea surface temperature in the Atlantic from the mid-June solstice to mid-September.—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
Instead of targeting a business that creates jobs, drives economic activity and contributes to local revenue, city leaders should focus on fiscal discipline and core services.—
Phillip Molnar,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 May 2026
-
Yuen, cast as the untrained newcomer who upends the protagonist’s world, provides the catalyst that drives the film toward its conclusion.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
Alas, Shao Khan smashes Cole’s head with a hammer, Gallagher style, and shoves his body into a vat of acid.—
James Grebey,
Vulture,
12 May 2026
-
Our boy runs up, shoves the other player, and gets the ball.—
Joe Kinsey OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
1 May 2026
Verb
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As the federal government’s immigration crackdown moves closer to the Bay Area, about 100 people gathered Saturday afternoon at the Mexican Heritage Plaza in East San Jose to protest plans to build a detention center in Gilroy.—
Molly Gibbs,
Mercury News,
31 May 2026
-
The Boroughs stars Molina as Sam Cooper, a retired engineer who moves to the village after the death of his wife.—
Graham Hillard,
The Washington Examiner,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
The same circadian system that morning sunlight activates can be reinforced or undermined by what’s screwed into your lamps for the next 14 hours.—
Allison Palmer
June 2,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 June 2026
-
Mercury in Cancer, for instance, activates your partnership sector — followed by the sun later this month — bringing focus to romantic, business or close one-on-one dynamics.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
And so, our mission – grounded in both truth and love – impels us to discern the motives that shape events, and the shifts in thought that drive human progress through higher ideals of justice, mercy, and wisdom.—
Christa Case Bryant,
Christian Science Monitor,
3 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Propels.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/propels. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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