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 humorous contrast between his calm expression and his awkward position is what helped propel the clip across social media.
—
Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
Davines has taken an opposite approach, using services to help propel in-salon sales.
—Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 31 Mar. 2026
Their docking target will be the ICPS, or the interim cryogenic propulsion stage, the upper segment of the rocket that propelled Orion on its journey in space.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 31 Mar. 2026
This restructuring is further propelled by direct funding relationships, corporate partnerships, and platform dependencies involving Big Tech companies.
—Dr. Timothy Scott, Hartford Courant, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for propel
Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
Davines has taken an opposite approach, using services to help propel in-salon sales.
—Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 31 Mar. 2026
Their docking target will be the ICPS, or the interim cryogenic propulsion stage, the upper segment of the rocket that propelled Orion on its journey in space.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 31 Mar. 2026
This restructuring is further propelled by direct funding relationships, corporate partnerships, and platform dependencies involving Big Tech companies.
—Dr. Timothy Scott, Hartford Courant, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for propel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for propel
Verb
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As California pushes toward a cleaner energy future, the key challenge ahead is not just reducing emissions, but ensuring fuel remains reliable and affordable in the meantime.—
Richard Ramos,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
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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.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The decision to inaugurate the first urban Six Senses property in Rome was partially driven by the owner’s love of all things Italian and is part of a new drive to bring sanctuaries to bigger cities.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
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Objects that are outdoors should be secured and caution should be taken if driving.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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If unhelpful naysayers shove their preferences onto you, just brush them off.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
30 Mar. 2026
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With Dylan Larkin in the box, Noah Cates put the Flyers ahead by three goals by shoving a loose puck over the goal line on the power play with less than four minutes to play in the second.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Prisoners have been moved because of staffing, food, and capacity shortages at the facilities where they were being held.—
Cora Engelbrecht,
New Yorker,
3 Apr. 2026
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The rain will start to clear out Sunday evening as the front moves through and begins to usher in drier, but cooler temperatures for next week.—
Bill Kelly,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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She is thrust into an extraordinary journey that will take her all the way to the surface, accompanied by her colorful, loyal and unlikely companions.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
2 Apr. 2026
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Alongside her colorful and loyal — yet unlikely — companions, Ally is thrust into an extraordinary journey that will take her all the way to the surface.—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The lefty underwent an elbow cleanup procedure at the start of the offseason; the Yankees hope to activate him sometime in April.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
31 Mar. 2026
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Like a grill, when activated by an operator, the drone stations open a lid.—
Dillon Thomas,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Propel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/propel. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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