propel
Americanverb (used with object)
-
propels,
present (3rd person singular)
-
propelled,
past participle, past
-
propelling
present participle
verb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
propelsimple
-
propelssimple
-
have propelledperfect
-
has propelledperfect
-
am propellingprogressive
-
are propellingprogressive
-
is propellingprogressive
-
have been propellingperfect progressive
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has been propellingperfect progressive
Past
-
propelledsimple
-
had propelledperfect
-
was propellingprogressive
-
were propellingprogressive
-
had been propellingperfect progressive
Future
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.”
Vocabulary lists containing propel
"To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, Chapters 12–15
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"Seventh Grade" by Gary Soto
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Maniac Magee
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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.
See Examples For:
His role as professor Charles Xavier in the “X-Men” film series from 2000 to 2017 helped propel his career to new heights and usher in a new era of superhero films.
From Salon ● Oct. 29, 2026
AI spending is helping propel economic growth, with Thursday’s GDP data expected to show the economy expanded at an annual rate of 3% to 4% in the third quarter.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 28, 2026
Mikal Bøe, Core Power’s chief executive, says nuclear reactors can more quickly propel ships, and vessels can go for years without refueling.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 22, 2026
The “Thrust” package, which will see a limited release, comes with thrusters positioned on the rear of the vehicle that can propel it forward at record speeds.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 17, 2026
Carmen tells us to turn onto our stomachs, and she holds our bellies up in the water as we make our first efforts to kick our feet and propel ourselves forward with our arms.
From "Across So Many Seas" by Ruth Behar
These high-pressure winds feed into the subtropical jet stream, giving an extra boost that propels it further east over North America, causing it to blow stronger and steadier.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 15, 2026
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
Playing him propels an actor into an exceptionally elite group of performers.
From BBC ● Sep. 6, 2026
Ultimately, the company may deserve it if the AI story propels high growth for longer.
From Barron's ● Jun. 3, 2026
Finnick has reached Peeta now and is towing him back, one arm across his chest while the other propels them through the water with easy strokes.
From "Catching Fire" by Suzanne Collins
It became one of the defining images of the protests, and propelled Melinn to nationwide fame.
From BBC ● Oct. 30, 2026
She told Cadena Ser radio how the crash had propelled her forwards.
From BBC ● Oct. 28, 2026
The semiconductor boom has also propelled the country's current account surplus to record levels.
From Barron's ● Oct. 27, 2026
As the muscles contracted, the fins flapped and propelled the robot through the water.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 23, 2026
It flew, straight and fast as a propelled stone, toward their boat.
From "Impossible Creatures" by Katherine Rundell
Unfortunately for skywatchers, this week looks to be the wettest and windiest week so far this autumn with a strengthening jet stream propelling low pressure systems across the UK.
From BBC ● Oct. 20, 2026
He allowed one run over six innings, propelling the Yankees to a matchup with the Tampa Bay Rays in the division series.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 1, 2026
But her role in propelling the Lynx to the league’s best record with a few weeks left of the regular season has also put her on the shortlist for MVP.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 23, 2026
Ionescu scored 14 points in the first quarter, propelling the visitors to a 36-30 lead.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 29, 2026
He kicked his feet, propelling himself across to the other side.
From "Stormbreaker" by Anthony Horowitz
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
