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

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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 The death of an Irishman in Canada propelled many Americans to agree with this Englishman Paine that independence was the right course. — Sarah M.s. Pearsall, The Conversation, 2 July 2026 The system uses the firm’s Prometheus electromagnetic accelerator that propels test materials through simulated weather. — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 2 July 2026 Will Smith’s star power propelled non-sequel superhero title Hancock and the Steven Spielberg-Tom Cruise pairing helped push War of the Worlds into tentpole territory. — Erik Hayden, HollywoodReporter, 2 July 2026 The one-two acquisition punch would propel the Ellison family to top-tier moguls with influence over CNN, CBS News, HBO, Turner Classic Movies and two historic Hollywood studios. — Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for propel

Recent Examples of Synonyms for propel

Verb

Handing the survivor her jewelry and hearing her story a few days later gave Dondi and her team of volunteers a reassuring nudge to push forward with their work.

— Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
Normally, the onshore flow — a west-to-southwest wind that creates the ocean breeze and pushes air away from the coasts — would push the particulate matter with it.

— Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026

Definition of push

Verb

The abnormal heat has been driven by the onset of El Niño, a natural climate pattern characterized by unusually warm waters along the equatorial tropical Pacific Ocean.

— Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 1 July 2026
Congestion is difficult to predict, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic, when driving behavior shifted and peak traffic hours spread out instead of sticking to the more uniform 9-to-5 workday.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2026

Definition of drive

Verb

Hakimi shoved Laryea to the ground and then Laryea pushed him and a minor scuffle ensued.

— ABC News, ABC News, 4 July 2026
The calming locales both complement and contradict the plot’s revelations, which are hardly bombshells but do speak to how well-to-do families labor to shove inconvenient skeletons into the closet.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026