1
as in pushing
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 driving
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 propelling
Brett Rosher registered a hat trick, propelling Bridgewater-Raynham (6-3) during an 11-5 nonleague victory over Whitman-Hanson.
—
Tyler McManus, Boston Herald, 29 Apr. 2026
Our dedicated staff members are the lifeblood of the Academy and are instrumental in propelling our mission forward.
—Noe Padilla, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
At the time, Singularity was excellent not just at bringing me up to date but also at propelling me into future technologies.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 23 Apr. 2026
In Singapore, government policy is propelling EV adoption.
—Angelica Ang, Fortune, 21 Apr. 2026
What has changed, Cuello said, is that the federal government passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, and executive orders added more changes that are propelling disenrollment.
—Kff Health News, Oc Register, 15 Apr. 2026
Cliff Simon is tremendous as Ba'al, too, with this episode propelling him from background character to primary antagonist for seasons to come.
—Daryl Baxter, Space.com, 14 Apr. 2026
Moritz Seider became the fourth defenseman in franchise history to record a 5-point game, propelling him to 60 on the season.
—Max Bultman, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2026
Helium is used in MRI scanners and for propelling rockets.
—Npr Staff, NPR, 7 Apr. 2026
Tyler McManus, Boston Herald, 29 Apr. 2026
Our dedicated staff members are the lifeblood of the Academy and are instrumental in propelling our mission forward.
—Noe Padilla, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
At the time, Singularity was excellent not just at bringing me up to date but also at propelling me into future technologies.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 23 Apr. 2026
In Singapore, government policy is propelling EV adoption.
—Angelica Ang, Fortune, 21 Apr. 2026
What has changed, Cuello said, is that the federal government passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, and executive orders added more changes that are propelling disenrollment.
—Kff Health News, Oc Register, 15 Apr. 2026
Cliff Simon is tremendous as Ba'al, too, with this episode propelling him from background character to primary antagonist for seasons to come.
—Daryl Baxter, Space.com, 14 Apr. 2026
Moritz Seider became the fourth defenseman in franchise history to record a 5-point game, propelling him to 60 on the season.
—Max Bultman, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2026
Helium is used in MRI scanners and for propelling rockets.
—Npr Staff, NPR, 7 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for propelling
Verb
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Brunson took the opening that gave him and ripped the game open from there, scoring 14 of the Knicks’ first 33 points and pushing them to a 33-25 lead after one.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
5 May 2026
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Say what’s real without pushing too hard or trying to control the outcome.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
5 May 2026
Verb
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After organizers failed to seek authorisation for the event, 600 police officers were deployed on Friday, issuing dozens of fines mainly for the possession of narcotics and driving offences.—
Niamh Kennedy,
CNN Money,
2 May 2026
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The guard has a knack of driving past the point of attack for her own shot or a drive-and-kick opportunity for her teammates.—
Fiifi Frimpong,
New York Daily News,
2 May 2026
Verb
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Some of the recent videos show the runners bumping into security guards and shoving past church staff, then leaving after being cornered and told to get off the property.—
James Queally,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
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Reus scored the winner on a PK after a foul on Sam Junqua for shoving Elijah Wynder in the back on a corner kick.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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He was instructed to respond by moving his eyes from left to right, and sure enough, the researchers counted two rightward movements of his eyes.—
Shayla Love,
New Yorker,
1 May 2026
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The sophisticated set by ace production designer David Gropman enables Altman’s perpetually moving and zooming camera to drift in and out of two-way mirrors that depict memories and fantasies with both immediacy and a gauzy nostalgia.—
Jim Hemphill,
IndieWire,
1 May 2026
Verb
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The Orlando teammates shared a quick high-five before thrusting the air awfully close to one another.—
Mark Harris OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
23 Apr. 2026
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Each actor elevates and pushes the other toward greatness, parrying and thrusting in excruciating exchanges and switching from vulnerability to anger in a matter of seconds.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Moët & Chandon, which became the official Champagne sponsor of Formula 1 in 2025, is activating ahead of the 2026 Miami Grand Prix, with focuses both on and off the tracks.—
James Manso,
Footwear News,
1 May 2026
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The same study notes that the hormonal cascade may even dull pain by activating peripheral nerves and autonomic pathways.—
Samantha Agate,
Miami Herald,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Propelling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/propelling. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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