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
But a Tampa Bay team that has feared no deficit rallied, and two Brandon Hagel goals in the third period — giving him six for the postseason — propelled the Lightning to a 3-2 comeback win.
—
Eduardo A. Encina, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Apr. 2026
Musk and Altman lock horns in depositions Musk contributed about $38 million to OpenAI during its early years, which was about 60 percent of the donations that helped propel the AI firm to its success today.
—Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 27 Apr. 2026
Knueppel garnered 44 first-place votes and totaled 386 while Flagg amassed 56 first-place nods that propelled him to a total of 412.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 27 Apr. 2026
In nonleague action, Julia Kipperman’s eight-goal performance propelled Nauset past East Bridgewater, 17-6, on Saturday.
—Brian Roach, Boston Herald, 26 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for propel
Eduardo A. Encina, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Apr. 2026
Musk and Altman lock horns in depositions Musk contributed about $38 million to OpenAI during its early years, which was about 60 percent of the donations that helped propel the AI firm to its success today.
—Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 27 Apr. 2026
Knueppel garnered 44 first-place votes and totaled 386 while Flagg amassed 56 first-place nods that propelled him to a total of 412.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 27 Apr. 2026
In nonleague action, Julia Kipperman’s eight-goal performance propelled Nauset past East Bridgewater, 17-6, on Saturday.
—Brian Roach, Boston Herald, 26 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for propel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for propel
Verb
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Its prices are pushing up airfares, baggage fees and add-on charges.—
Mae Anderson,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
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Some lawmakers also want legislation that could push back on Selig’s offensive by affirming states’ authority to rein in the platforms.—
Eleanor Mueller,
semafor.com,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Daniel Schneemann then drove the next pitch just over the left-centerfield field wall for a two-run homer.—
Marc Topkin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
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As Sousa-Martins drove forward, another agent shot at him 13 times, injuring Sousa-Martins as well as Solomon Antonio Serrano-Esquivel, a passenger in one of the ICE vehicles who was already in federal custody.—
Lily Carey,
Baltimore Sun,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Avdija took exception to Castle’s actions and shoved him.—
The Athletic NBA Staff,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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That capped a half in which Stewart and Orlando's Goga Bitadze were called for double fouls late in the first quarter, then called for double technicals while continuing to push and shove two seconds after play resumed.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
25 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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Mercury moves through your 1st House of Identity, sharpening your voice and making your words more direct than usual.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
1 May 2026
Verb
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With Jax’s most loyal client at the center of a spiraling media disaster, The Stewart Firm is thrust into a high-stakes battle where every move could mean survival … or the collapse of the firm.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
24 Apr. 2026
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With Jax’s most loyal client at the center of a spiraling media disaster, The Stewart Firm is thrust into a high-stakes battle where every move could mean survival … or collapse of the firm.—
Joe Otterson,
Variety,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Veteran right-hander Phil Maton will be activated from the IL during the Cubs’ upcoming series in San Diego.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
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Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams.—
Harriette Cole,
Mercury News,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Propel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/propel. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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