propel

[ pruh-pel ]

verb (used with object)

, pro·pelled, pro·pel·ling.

1. to drive, or cause to move, forward or onward:

   to propel a boat by rowing.

   Synonyms: prod, push

2. to impel or urge onward:

   Urgent need of money propelled him to take a job.

   Synonyms: prod, push

propel

/ prəˈpɛl /

verb

1. tr to impel, drive, or cause to move forwards

Other Words From

• unpro·pelled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of propel¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English propellen “to expel,” from Latin prōpellere “to drive forward,” from prō- pro- ¹ + pellere “to drive, push, strike”

Word History and Origins

Origin of propel¹

C15: from Latin prōpellere to drive onwards, from pro- ¹+ pellere to drive

Example Sentences

Both batteries propel the car another 30 miles in the rear-wheel drive versions.

From Popular-Science

The results propelled a centuries-old debate on the nature of self and other into a new, scientifically-grounded era.

From Singularity Hub 

A collision shop specializing in Teslas overflows with gleaming battery-propelled metal bodies that spill out across the broken sidewalk.

From Popular-Science

He managed to bust a few myths about his “alternative” positions on several subjects, and at times managed to sound far more nuanced than his meme-propelled, trolling Twitter feed.

From TechCrunch

Leachman attended Northwestern University on a drama scholarship, did modeling and won the Miss Chicago beauty contest, which propelled her to the 1946 Miss America pageant in Atlantic City.

From Washington Post

Barack Obama used the Internet and social media to propel himself to the presidency.

From The Daily Beast

Near the banks, the water is shallow and her palm frond oars propel her.

From The Daily Beast

That resistance to foreign adventurism helped propel him to the presidency and keep him there.

From The Daily Beast

Typically, the power used to propel the water is derived from steam heat, which is turn generated by burning natural gas.

From The Daily Beast

But for a Hyperserial to truly be successful, you need a compelling question to propel the show forward.

From The Daily Beast

Desiring to propel my hand sled with power transmitted by cranks and wheels, I set about to procure the necessary materials.

From Project Gutenberg

Being a man much moved to write, he comes to be so sensitive that even a puff of wind will propel him into an essay.

From Project Gutenberg

More than fifty years ago I ascertained that steam might be made to propel machinery.

From Project Gutenberg

Don pushed and pushed for all he was worth and managed to propel the clumsy raft further toward shore.

From Project Gutenberg

But the dirty, torn sails which the children saw did not promise to hold wind enough to propel the water-logged craft.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• drive
• push
• send
• shoot
• thrust