propel

American  

[pruh-pel] / prəˈpɛl /

verb (used with object)

• propels,
  present (3rd person singular)
• propelled,
  past participle,  past
• propelling
  present participle

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

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propel British  

/ prəˈpɛl /

verb

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

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• unpropelled
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Participles

• propelling
  present
• propelled
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• propel
  simple
• propels
  simple
• have propelled
  perfect
• has propelled
  perfect
• am propelling
  progressive
• are propelling
  progressive
• is propelling
  progressive
• have been propelling
  perfect progressive
• has been propelling
  perfect progressive

Past

• propelled
  simple
• had propelled
  perfect
• was propelling
  progressive
• were propelling
  progressive
• had been propelling
  perfect progressive

Future

• will propel
  simple
• will have propelled
  perfect
• will be propelling
  progressive
• will have been propelling
  perfect progressive

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”

Explanation

To propel is to push or drive forward, like a sheep dog nipping at the heels of his flock to keep them moving. When you hear the verb propel, imagine the propeller on an airplane — that spinning thing on the front that pulls the plane forward. Or maybe think of the old proverb that goes, “Our passions are the winds that propel our vessel. Our reason is the pilot that steers her. Without winds the vessel would not move and without a pilot she would be lost.”

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

propel propels propelled propelling

Astaire’s recording helped propel “The Way You Look Tonight” to six weeks atop “Your Hit Parade,” and the song won an Academy Award.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 18, 2026

Strong earnings revisions have helped to propel stocks higher this year — but with the next meaningful earnings reports months away, the lack of fresh good news could also create problems.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 14, 2026

Its protein could feed a chicken or a pig, its oil could fry French fries or propel a truck, and its lecithin could emulsify chocolate or mayonnaise.

From Salon ● Sep. 13, 2026

Siegmund has vowed to "make history" on Sunday and lead a political revolution from the small state of 2.1 million people that he hopes will propel his anti-establishment party to national victory in 2029.

From Barron's ● Sep. 3, 2026

“And for the last time, every rock band has its one pop hit to help propel them to superstardom.”

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Sentiment is not the only factor that propels the market higher or lower, and any of a number of other factors could easily catch Wall Street by surprise.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 8, 2026

Tires on new cars have low “rolling resistance,” meaning there is less friction and drag on the engine as it propels the car forward.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 13, 2026

Ultimately, the company may deserve it if the AI story propels high growth for longer.

From Barron's ● Jun. 3, 2026

They are the fiercest of rivals but will Tottenham fans really be praying for an Arsenal win this weekend that propels the Gunners towards the Premier League title?

From BBC ● May 8, 2026

In Jane Austen novels, a death often precipitates the loss of a fortune, which propels the heroine to seek a husband.

From "Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith" by Deborah Heiligman

For now, the bigger test is whether the CJP can turn the extraordinary burst of anger that propelled it into national prominence into something that lasts.

From BBC ● Sep. 11, 2026

The big waves are being fueled by the energy produced by Marie, and propelled by an elevated sea level due to warming ocean waters, according to Swain.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 9, 2026

“I never saw myself in politics until I saw him give that 2004 speech on the DNC floor,” El-Sayed admiringly declared of the keynote address that propelled Obama to national stardom.

From Slate ● Sep. 9, 2026

The U.S. is forecast to grow faster than other major economies in the years ahead, propelled by the AI boom emanating from Silicon Valley and robust consumer spending.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 2, 2026

The bombing propelled everyone forward at a quicker pace, anxious to reach Frauenburg and possible shelter.

From "Salt to the Sea" by Ruta Sepetys

Investors pared back bets in recent weeks that the Fed will hike interest rates in 2026, helping the stock market stay near records and propelling semiconductor and memory storage makers to soar.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 20, 2026

Ionescu scored 14 points in the first quarter, propelling the visitors to a 36-30 lead.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 29, 2026

But in the end she added her name to the wave of Labour MPs nominating Andy Burnham as leader, propelling the former Greater Manchester mayor into Downing Street uncontested.

From BBC ● Jul. 21, 2026

Alibaba on Wednesday saw its best single share-price gain in 10 months, as the broader Chinese tech sector revved higher after missing the rally propelling U.S.,

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 8, 2026

Could hear their tongues pounding the stone floor, propelling them forward.

From "Hollow City" by Ransom Riggs

Related Words

• drive
• push
• send
• shoot
• thrust