1
as in pushed
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 moved
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 propelled
The week’s top movers were propelled by upbeat quarterly surprises, sizable chip agreements, and constructive regulatory developments.
—
Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
The Yankees' win was propelled by key bullpen innings from Devin Williams and David Bednar and a home run from young slugger Ben Rice.
—Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
The break comes after Jon Stewart, who propelled to fame during his first stint as host, returned as a one-day-a-week anchor in 2024.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2025
The whole movie, Greengrass has been giving audiences the wildfire’s POV, propelled by high winds and blowing embers in all directions.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 6 Sep. 2025
The bourbon, Heaven Hill Master Distillers Unity, pays homage to three distinct master distillers that have propelled the company through its decades of success.
—Olivia Evans, Louisville Courier Journal, 4 Sep. 2025
The song co-written by Gaga with Andrew Watt and Henry Walter — and co-produced by the singer, Watt and Cirkut — has a bouncy 1980s electro pop vibe, propelled by funhouse keyboards and bright drum machine beats as Gaga muses about hoofing it to the end.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 3 Sep. 2025
On the title track, for instance, the guitar is choppy and churning, and the horn is twisting and relentless, and the music seems to be propelled through force of will.
—Hanif Abdurraqib, New Yorker, 27 Aug. 2025
The 1982 musical movie was a follow-up to 1978’s Grease, which became a smash hit and propelled leads Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta further into the spotlight.
—Victoria Edel, People.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
The Yankees' win was propelled by key bullpen innings from Devin Williams and David Bednar and a home run from young slugger Ben Rice.
—Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
The break comes after Jon Stewart, who propelled to fame during his first stint as host, returned as a one-day-a-week anchor in 2024.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2025
The whole movie, Greengrass has been giving audiences the wildfire’s POV, propelled by high winds and blowing embers in all directions.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 6 Sep. 2025
The bourbon, Heaven Hill Master Distillers Unity, pays homage to three distinct master distillers that have propelled the company through its decades of success.
—Olivia Evans, Louisville Courier Journal, 4 Sep. 2025
The song co-written by Gaga with Andrew Watt and Henry Walter — and co-produced by the singer, Watt and Cirkut — has a bouncy 1980s electro pop vibe, propelled by funhouse keyboards and bright drum machine beats as Gaga muses about hoofing it to the end.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 3 Sep. 2025
On the title track, for instance, the guitar is choppy and churning, and the horn is twisting and relentless, and the music seems to be propelled through force of will.
—Hanif Abdurraqib, New Yorker, 27 Aug. 2025
The 1982 musical movie was a follow-up to 1978’s Grease, which became a smash hit and propelled leads Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta further into the spotlight.
—Victoria Edel, People.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for propelled
Verb
-
Laura is frantic about saving Daniel after learning Cherry pushed her father from a construction site, fracturing his spine in two places.—
Erin Jensen,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
-
If verified, some researchers suggest this respite also could be a glimpse of future hurricane seasons, with the historic early-to-mid-September peak pushed back on the calendar.—
Alex Harris,
Miami Herald,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Boise Pride moved the route from the heart of downtown to River Street, between South 13th and 9th streets.—
Sally Krutzig,
Idaho Statesman,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Fire crossed Dinkey Creek and moved north toward Oak Flat.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
That way, when you are accepted, you are accepted voluntarily, because people appreciate you and respect you and want you, not because you have been shoved down their throats.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Their range shrank northward as many were shot and shoved out of their native habitats — areas near lakes, rivers and coasts — by humans and industry.—
Sophie Hartley,
IndyStar,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Isn’t the same belief what drove Laura to speak to them?—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Judge drove a full-count splitter from Casey Mize to right-center field, giving New York a 1-0 lead.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
But the tanks were thrust into battle lacking the appropriate armor to defend against drones.—
Marco Hernandez,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
-
The hearing was broadcast live from Melbourne’s Supreme Court, reflecting the intense public interest in the case that thrust Patterson, her family and the small town of Leongatha into the global spotlight.—
Hilary Whiteman,
CNN Money,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
By that point though, United had activated on signing Senne Lammens.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
-
The gas is activated by the ultraviolet rays of the sun, making the tail glow in much the same way that black light causes phosphorescent paint to light up.—
Joe Rao,
Space.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Propelled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/propelled. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.
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