Synonyms

propel

American

[pruh-pel] / prəˈpɛl /

verb (used with object)

propelled, propelling

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

to propel a boat by rowing.

Synonyms:

prod, push
to impel or urge onward.

Urgent need of money propelled him to take a job.

Synonyms:

prod, push

propel British

/ prəˈpɛl /

verb

(tr) to impel, drive, or cause to move forwards

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

unpropelled adjective

Etymology

Origin of propel

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”

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Gold prices had been propelled to record highs by rapid changes in US trade policy, ongoing geopolitical uncertainty and conflict and central banks increasing their purchases of bullion.

From BBC

E-commerce sales in the US jumped 28% in the three months to 31 October, propelled by online orders and advertising.

From BBC

Walmart’s sales have soared since, propelled by e-commerce, then the pandemic followed by shoppers’ more recent hunt for lower prices amid inflation.

From The Wall Street Journal

Haigh and team explain that the precious metals rally was chiefly propelled by inflows from exchange-traded funds and that influence has been exaggerated of late.

From MarketWatch

Within two weeks, dust from the volcano propelled by wind had circled the globe.

From Literature

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023