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 move
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 project, Whitney Houston in Focus is based on Bette Marshall’s photography book about Houston’s life before her career propelled her to superstardom with Clive Davis.
—
Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 4 June 2025
Unfortunately for Jones, the hope was misplaced, at least on Tuesday, as an offensive outburst in the sixth and seventh innings propelled the Twins (33-27) to a 10-3 win over the A’s, whose recent stretch is the worst for the franchise in decades.
—Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 4 June 2025
Experts say Airbus’ A321neo narrow-body aircraft is propelling the company ahead of Boeing, which has been dealing with crisis after crisis over the past several years.
—Erin Black, CNBC, 3 June 2025
Each of these sentiments points to the rich, fertile space that exists at the margins—of the body, of language, of the photograph—while also emphasizing the creative potentialities of touch, the action that propels these often porous edges to meet.
—Jessica Simmons-Reid, Artforum, 1 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for propel
Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 4 June 2025
Unfortunately for Jones, the hope was misplaced, at least on Tuesday, as an offensive outburst in the sixth and seventh innings propelled the Twins (33-27) to a 10-3 win over the A’s, whose recent stretch is the worst for the franchise in decades.
—Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 4 June 2025
Experts say Airbus’ A321neo narrow-body aircraft is propelling the company ahead of Boeing, which has been dealing with crisis after crisis over the past several years.
—Erin Black, CNBC, 3 June 2025
Each of these sentiments points to the rich, fertile space that exists at the margins—of the body, of language, of the photograph—while also emphasizing the creative potentialities of touch, the action that propels these often porous edges to meet.
—Jessica Simmons-Reid, Artforum, 1 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for propel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for propel
Verb
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This happens when water in front of the tire builds up faster than the vehicle's weight can push water out of the way.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
9 June 2025
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Just as Naomi’s victory was widely expected, so was that of Rollins, the lone star in the bout who is consistently pushed as a main eventer.—
Blake Oestriecher,
Forbes.com,
8 June 2025
Verb
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As the storm moves away, this likelihood decreases.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
14 June 2025
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In May, the board of supervisors unanimously backed recommendations from county staff to move the excess money around, with a considerable amount going to the Sheriff’s Office.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 June 2025
Verb
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As the sidelines cleared and the entire team rushed the field, though, Hudson took the opportunity to charge back into the fray and shove Thibodeaux in defense of Eluemunor.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
5 June 2025
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McDavid shook off two periods where the Panthers shoved him to the outside and contained his electric game.—
Dave Hyde,
Sun Sentinel,
5 June 2025
Verb
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Sundowns’ success has also arguably been good for South Africa, helping drive new standards, develop players and coaches, and change perceptions about what is possible for clubs from the continent when investment is made available.—
Simon Hughes,
New York Times,
7 June 2025
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Adrienne Long, 38, of Magnolia was killed around 1:15 p.m. Tuesday after a 2015 Chevrolet driving north on U.S. 79 near Magnolia crossed the turning lane and collided head-on with the 2015 Nissan that Long was driving south, according to a report.—
Grant Lancaster,
Arkansas Online,
7 June 2025
Verb
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Here, the hero encounters a monstrous Genma striking down a woman and he is thrust into battle in classic Onimusha fashion.—
Zackery Cuevas,
PC Magazine,
11 June 2025
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In 1976, he was thrust into the daytime soap opera world with his General Hospital debut as Dr. Rick Webber, the two-time husband of Denise Alexander's Lesley and adoptive father of Genie Francis' Laura Collins.—
Mekishana Pierre Published,
EW.com,
11 June 2025
Verb
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In other words, for reasons still not fully understood, the robot’s yawn may have activated a biological response in the chimpanzees that led them to associate the gesture with sleep or rest.—
Mack DeGeurin,
Popular Science,
5 June 2025
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None of them had their body cameras activated, a violation of department policy.—
Shira Moolten,
Sun Sentinel,
5 June 2025
Verb
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But the 1933 Cuban Revolution impelled his family’s flight from the island, dashing Desi’s hopes of a legal career.—
Julia M. Klein,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2025
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To do that, SoFi must be among the small number of public companies that continues to provide upbeat forecasts – as tariff uncertainty impels many public companies to stop offering guidance.—
Peter Cohan,
Forbes.com,
30 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Propel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/propel. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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