1
as in to push
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 to drive
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 propel
The three major indexes all climbed to new highs, propelled by Nvidia which surged 6% after announcing its entrance into the PC chip business.
—
Alex Harring, CNBC, 2 June 2026
Starry is propelled by my real and personal anger that these women’s contributions to the genre have been minimized or elided altogether.
—Literary Hub, 1 June 2026
The sophomore right-hander delivered arguably the most important pitching performance of the season for USC, beating Texas A&M 14-3 to propel the Trojans to a winner-take-all College Station Regional Final on Monday.
—Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026
The project significantly propels forward the evolution of the downtown location — mirrored by libraries across the country — that seeks to transform what was once a place just for books into a civic hub that brings people together to both celebrate the community but also work on its challenges.
—Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for propel
Alex Harring, CNBC, 2 June 2026
Starry is propelled by my real and personal anger that these women’s contributions to the genre have been minimized or elided altogether.
—Literary Hub, 1 June 2026
The sophomore right-hander delivered arguably the most important pitching performance of the season for USC, beating Texas A&M 14-3 to propel the Trojans to a winner-take-all College Station Regional Final on Monday.
—Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026
The project significantly propels forward the evolution of the downtown location — mirrored by libraries across the country — that seeks to transform what was once a place just for books into a civic hub that brings people together to both celebrate the community but also work on its challenges.
—Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for propel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for propel
Verb
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The actress started advocating for menopause and mid-life care in 2024 − after her doctor misdiagnosed her symptoms as herpes − and pushed for legislation to fund research and education in women’s health.—
Wendy Naugle,
USA Today,
5 June 2026
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The visit is a chance for Xi to push for a rebalancing of these ties and to signal the importance of the relationship to Beijing at a moment of global flux.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
5 June 2026
Verb
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McCarthy doubled in the ninth to move Kyle Karros to third before Rumfield drove him home with a sac fly to right field for a 9-8 lead.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
2 June 2026
-
The blend of plush but no-nonsense North American furnishings with opulent Ottomania creates a visually exotic yet comfort-driven aesthetic.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
The two former tag team champions shoved each other.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
-
Trump has largely shoved that group aside for a new one, run by his allies, Freedom 250.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
31 May 2026
Verb
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That stands in contrast to the Nasdaq, which has already moved to fast-track SpaceX's inclusion in the Nasdaq 100 index, leading to concerns that new retail investors could become the cash cow of exit liquidity for legacy SpaceX shareholders.—
Katie Foley,
CNBC,
5 June 2026
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In the production, directed by Jo Bonney, Susanna arrives there before realizing what has happened, a scene change that moves briskly enough to surprise you in the audience too.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
5 June 2026
Verb
-
The bullet penetrated his hip, thrust through his knee and shattered his femur.—
Eric Adler,
Kansas City Star,
6 June 2026
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Kim was one shot behind Kupcho after the opening round, and she was thrust into the lead early in the second despite shooting 1 over on the front nine.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
5 June 2026
Verb
-
Raven Room is a great spot for happy hour, and the owners have been going to great lengths lately to activate the space with programming such as live music.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
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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
Cite this Entry
“Propel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/propel. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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