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
Some, in wheelchairs, are propelled along by other students.
—
David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
Judges expect elite men’s skaters to rotate four times in the air several times during their program and to utilize different parts of the blade to propel their launch.
—Robert Samuels, Washington Post, 10 Feb. 2026
When activated, the leg shells pick up the heels and propel the feet purposefully forward.
—Chloe Veltman, NPR, 10 Feb. 2026
The decision instead reflected how California, Florida and other states were propelled by Ed O’Bannon’s successful case over the uncompensated use of college players’ likenesses in video game to adopt NIL statutes.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for propel
David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
Judges expect elite men’s skaters to rotate four times in the air several times during their program and to utilize different parts of the blade to propel their launch.
—Robert Samuels, Washington Post, 10 Feb. 2026
When activated, the leg shells pick up the heels and propel the feet purposefully forward.
—Chloe Veltman, NPR, 10 Feb. 2026
The decision instead reflected how California, Florida and other states were propelled by Ed O’Bannon’s successful case over the uncompensated use of college players’ likenesses in video game to adopt NIL statutes.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for propel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for propel
Verb
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The decisions centered around the dates for quarterfinal and semifinal games, as well as the move to push the championship game back to even further in January has drawn some backlash.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
6 Feb. 2026
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Its forecast for profit in the current quarter fell short of analysts' expectations as an industrywide shortage of memory pushes some handset makers to cut back on orders.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Immigration enforcement efforts in Oklahoma also have focused heavily on apprehending commercial truckers driving on interstate highways.—
Nuria Martinez-Keel,
Oklahoma Voice,
10 Feb. 2026
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Duren had the ball and was driving toward the basket with just over seven minutes left in the third period when he was fouled by Diabate.—
Steve Reed,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Court documents say Stallings shoved the agent and punched him in the face.—
Ashley Grams,
CBS News,
6 Feb. 2026
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The victim’s child had just gotten on the bus when Horne suddenly shoved the Muslim mom.—
Emma Seiwell,
New York Daily News,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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As a politicized national fight over waste, fraud and abuse led by Republicans have targeted California and its Democratic leadership, Bonta and other state officials have moved swiftly to combat the claims.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
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Moreover, the bottle had only ever moved between Burgundy and Bordeaux, a driving distance of roughly 300 miles.—
Pin Yen Tan 9 min ago,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The poisonous forces that combined to thrust Evelyn’s face into the gravel outside her home were years in the making.—
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
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The two kept a low profile as a couple until they were thrust into the limelight during the 2024 presidential election cycle.—
Lori A Bashian , Larry Fink,
FOXNews.com,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
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She was accused on Monday of having accidentally activated a website for a future campaign to lead the Labour Party.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
10 Feb. 2026
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The consultancy has a role in advising, managing, activating and measuring more than $5 billion in client partnerships across sports, entertainment, gaming and corporate social responsibility.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Propel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/propel. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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