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.

AI was a key theme for the stock market this year, with demand for AI products, computing, and infrastructure propelling AI-exposed tech names to lead the way higher.

From Barron's

The latest Powerball jackpot is still up for grabs and is expected to reach $1.6 billion Monday, propelling it into the top four of the largest jackpots in the game’s history, officials said Sunday.

From Los Angeles Times

The algorithm does that now, and it has propelled both Pauls into wealthy influencer titans, and Jake into the fight world’s munificent, polarizing Barnum.

From The Wall Street Journal

“And upon closing, their fortress balance sheet will propel us towards first power in 2031.”

From Barron's

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