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
This sends the space race into overdrive, propelling NASA's program into high gear far beyond Apollo 17 and onward to the Red Planet, where a permanent Martian colony is thriving.
—
Jeff Spry, Space.com, 26 Mar. 2026
But that strategy has dramatically backfired, propelling the aging franchise closer to the brink of the point of no return.
—Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2026
Hannah Montana kickstarted Cyrus’ career in 2006, propelling the then-teenager to global superstardom and serving as a launching pad for her for pop music career.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 18 Mar. 2026
Denver Public Schools' community Hubs program launched just a few years ago, and its success is propelling expansion.
—Chierstin Roth, CBS News, 16 Mar. 2026
The coming months will decide whether next season’s United looks like this season’s United; whether some of the key figures propelling this revival are still around.
—Mark Critchley, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2026
Our defense was indeed locked in, forcing two turnovers and propelling the team to an early lead.
—Mckay Coppins, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2026
Accelerators allow researchers to study the universe at extremely small scales by propelling beams of particles to high speeds before directing them into targets or collisions.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 10 Mar. 2026
Spending on luxury fashion climbed 8% year on year in 2025, and sales of first- and business-class tickets are now propelling revenue and profit for Delta Air Lines, CEO Ed Bastian said in October.
—The Week Us, TheWeek, 9 Mar. 2026
Jeff Spry, Space.com, 26 Mar. 2026
But that strategy has dramatically backfired, propelling the aging franchise closer to the brink of the point of no return.
—Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2026
Hannah Montana kickstarted Cyrus’ career in 2006, propelling the then-teenager to global superstardom and serving as a launching pad for her for pop music career.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 18 Mar. 2026
Denver Public Schools' community Hubs program launched just a few years ago, and its success is propelling expansion.
—Chierstin Roth, CBS News, 16 Mar. 2026
The coming months will decide whether next season’s United looks like this season’s United; whether some of the key figures propelling this revival are still around.
—Mark Critchley, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2026
Our defense was indeed locked in, forcing two turnovers and propelling the team to an early lead.
—Mckay Coppins, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2026
Accelerators allow researchers to study the universe at extremely small scales by propelling beams of particles to high speeds before directing them into targets or collisions.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 10 Mar. 2026
Spending on luxury fashion climbed 8% year on year in 2025, and sales of first- and business-class tickets are now propelling revenue and profit for Delta Air Lines, CEO Ed Bastian said in October.
—The Week Us, TheWeek, 9 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for propelling
Verb
-
In the clip, shared by @whit_fashionfinds, footage from inside her living room shows her teen on hands and knees pushing clutter across the floor and underneath the couch.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
-
In past years, pushing issues to the next meeting had been a tool the NFL used to win the day because the May meeting allowed league personnel to lobby owners in favor of their measures, knowing coaches and general managers would not attend that next meeting.—
Armando Salguero OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Cody Bellinger contributed to the Yankees erasing a four-run deficit through four innings by driving in three runs.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
5 Apr. 2026
-
While driving - Stick to the middle lanes and stay on elevated ground.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Misguidedly shoving as many Peeps as possible into our mouths.—
Anna Grace Lee,
Vogue,
30 Mar. 2026
-
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
-
The average retirement age declined steadily in America for decades until around 1990, when the average started moving up again.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
-
If you are trapped by moving water, move to the highest possible point and call 911 if possible.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Far from thrusting their run-in into chaos, this may become a moment which galvanises Leeds.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
16 Mar. 2026
-
With Israel thrusting deeper into Lebanon, fears are mounting that Qlayaa will suffer the same fate as Alma al-Shaab, a Christian village on the border whose remaining residents all evacuated after a villager was killed this week.—
Nabih Bulos,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
These spaces and events are activating an intergenerational, community consciousness and conversation.—
Jessi Roti,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
3 Apr. 2026
-
After all, with several planets in Aries activating your partnership sector, important conversations and turning points are almost inevitable in this area of your life.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Propelling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/propelling. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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