PROPEL Synonyms: 55 Similar and Opposite Words

propel

verb

prə-ˈpel

Definition of propel

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

Relevance

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of propel More importantly, part of what propels the narrative in the book is Bret being the only one of his friends to see a dark side to Robert. — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 13 Aug. 2026 In fact, sometimes the name is what propels us toward development in the first place. — Chris Morocco, Bon Appetit Magazine, 13 Aug. 2026 That cost millions of layoffs, but helped propel China to overtake Japan as the second-largest economy behind the United States in 2010. — ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026 Brands should get in before this propels the actor even further into the mainstream. — Madeleine Schulz, Vogue, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for propel

Recent Examples of Synonyms for propel

Verb

Taken together, current and former officials interviewed say, those positions could narrow the military's recruiting pool while pushing some troops already in uniform to reconsider staying.

— Steven Beynon, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
Sangare was one of the core players of the Lens side who pushed Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain hard for the French title last season, eventually coming up six points short.

— Cerys Jones, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of push

Verb

Recordings of Rajab’s call with paramedics gained international attention, driving calls for accountability for her killing and that of thousands of other children in Gaza.

— Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026
The University of Michigan's consumer sentiment index, also released Friday, showed greater pessimism about the economy this month, likely driven by stubbornly high prices.

— CBS News, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of drive

Verb

The animation is truly ugly, the characters moving at the framerate of a PowerPoint and looking less like the animals they’re supposed to be than weird hybrid troll creatures.

— Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 21 Aug. 2026
Instead of dealing with rental cars or busy trailheads, travelers just want to step out their front door, lace up and move.

— Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of move

Verb

By the mid- to late 2000s—accelerated by the global financial crisis—data governance was thrust into the executive spotlight.

— Barney Krishnan, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
The entire Slusser family was thrust into the national spotlight in fall 2024 when Brooke decided to sign onto Riley Gaines' lawsuit against the NCAA, citing her experience at SJSU.

— Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 21 Aug. 2026