propel
verb
pro·pel prə-ˈpel 
propelled; propelling
transitive verb
: to drive forward or onward by or as if by means of a force that imparts motion
Synonyms
- drive
- push
- shove
- thrust
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
He grabbed him and propelled him through the door. The train is propelled by steam.
Recent Examples on the Web With a roster consisting of three seniors and three juniors, Schlesinger will be relying on her veteran roster to propel the team into the state tournament. 
Lauren Hertz, The Arizona Republic, 3 Sep. 2022 By the time it was released in October 2019, Joker was riding a wave of adulation from the fall film festivals, which helped propel the movie into a record-breaking opening weekend, with box office analysts changing their predictions every day. Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Sep. 2022 The rocket was set to lift off on a flight to propel a crew capsule into orbit around the moon. Marcia Dunn, The Christian Science Monitor, 29 Aug. 2022 The Artemis 1 test flight is intended to verify the rocket's ability to propel Orion capsules into Earth orbit and then onto the moon. William Harwood, CBS News, 29 Aug. 2022 The rocket was set to lift off on a mission to propel a crew capsule into orbit around the moon, bringing the U.S. a big step closer to putting astronauts back on the lunar surface for the first time since the Apollo program ended 50 years ago. Marcia Dunn, Anchorage Daily News, 29 Aug. 2022 So for now, Lyles is helping to propel Baltimore into an unexpected position, with a .500 record as the All-Star break nears. Andy Kostka, Baltimore Sun, 12 July 2022 Based on Anne Rice's novel, Interview was arguably the film that helped propel Pitt into superstardom. Derek Scancarelli, EW.com, 7 July 2022 Like Caruso, very little will be done to solve these problems—their existence is a necessary ingredient for this high-toned hustle to propel these candidates into into office. Alex Shephard, The New Republic, 8 June 2022 See More
Lauren Hertz, The Arizona Republic, 3 Sep. 2022 By the time it was released in October 2019, Joker was riding a wave of adulation from the fall film festivals, which helped propel the movie into a record-breaking opening weekend, with box office analysts changing their predictions every day. Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Sep. 2022 The rocket was set to lift off on a flight to propel a crew capsule into orbit around the moon. Marcia Dunn, The Christian Science Monitor, 29 Aug. 2022 The Artemis 1 test flight is intended to verify the rocket's ability to propel Orion capsules into Earth orbit and then onto the moon. William Harwood, CBS News, 29 Aug. 2022 The rocket was set to lift off on a mission to propel a crew capsule into orbit around the moon, bringing the U.S. a big step closer to putting astronauts back on the lunar surface for the first time since the Apollo program ended 50 years ago. Marcia Dunn, Anchorage Daily News, 29 Aug. 2022 So for now, Lyles is helping to propel Baltimore into an unexpected position, with a .500 record as the All-Star break nears. Andy Kostka, Baltimore Sun, 12 July 2022 Based on Anne Rice's novel, Interview was arguably the film that helped propel Pitt into superstardom. Derek Scancarelli, EW.com, 7 July 2022 Like Caruso, very little will be done to solve these problems—their existence is a necessary ingredient for this high-toned hustle to propel these candidates into into office. Alex Shephard, The New Republic, 8 June 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English propellen "to drive away, expel," borrowed from Latin prōpellere "to push or thrust forward, compel to go onward," from prō- "before, in front" + pellere "to beat against, push, strike, rouse, expel" — more at pro- entry 2, pulse entry 1
First Known Use
1558, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
propel
verb
pro·pel prə-ˈpel
propelled; propelling
: to push or cause to move usually forward or onward
propel
verb
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
Relevance
- push
- shove
- thrust
- drive
- move
- impel
- force
- squeeze
- compel
- jam
- pressure
- compress
- depress
- muscle
- squash
- bulldoze
- bear (down)
- ram
- weigh (upon)
- lean (on or against)
2
as in to move
to set or keep in motion the aircraft is propelled by a pair of turboprop engines Synonyms & Similar Words
- move
- drive
- activate
- impel
- actuate
- stimulate
- motivate
- work
- trigger
- provoke
- incite
- raise
- foment
- galvanize
- inspire
- abet
- rouse
- instigate
- ferment
- excite
- set off
- arouse
- inflame
- trip
- enflame
- whip (up)
- stir (up)
- fire (up)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- regulate
- restrain
- contain
- inhibit
- control
- constrain
- curb
- check
- rein (in)
- bridle