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
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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:
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
Musk said the car was equipped with 10 nozzles and "ultra high-pressure air tanks" to propel itself into the air and accelerate quickly on the ground.
From Barron's ● Oct. 16, 2026
These creatures typically swim using tiny hair-like structures known as cilia, which move in coordinated patterns to propel them through water.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 8, 2026
It will take far more than what the T1D Fund can raise to propel potential cures to market, Eastman and other members who were dismissed or resigned said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 1, 2026
I grab his arm and begin to propel him through the jungle after Finnick.
From "Catching Fire" by Suzanne Collins
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
He might look intimidating, but his smile and willingness to participate in school gatherings propels others to immediately embrace him.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 16, 2026
Ultimately, the company may deserve it if the AI story propels high growth for longer.
From Barron's ● Jun. 3, 2026
"It certainly propels you into a world of uncertainty. Life priorities realign - you simply want to survive."
From BBC ● May 30, 2026
Mateo sits on the swing, holds on for dear life—I know—takes a few steps, and propels forward, his legs looking like they’re about to kick over a building.
From "They Both Die at the End" by Adam Silvera
These models suggest that the animal propelled itself through the water by paddling with its front legs and moving its tail in an undulating motion.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 13, 2026
Regulators have ushered in looser regulation for financial institutions and a more permissive dealmaking environment, while buoyant stocks and more initial public offerings have propelled banks to record profits.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 8, 2026
Besides a growing reliance on inputs and raw material, Chinese imports to India are also being propelled by other macroeconomic trends.
From BBC ● Oct. 5, 2026
This propelled Rombach and a group of fellow computer scientists to found the AI lab in 2024.
From Barron's ● Sep. 27, 2026
They propelled me millimeter by millimeter across the sheets.
From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides
Six Flags has operated the Goliath roller coaster near Atlanta for two decades, propelling thrill-seekers along tubes of American-made steel at 70 miles an hour.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 14, 2026
Wall Street’s renewed AI optimism lifted data-center developers and suppliers, propelling Intel shares 12% higher and boosting Advanced Micro Devices by 10%.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 21, 2026
Ionescu scored 14 points in the first quarter, propelling the visitors to a 36-30 lead.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 29, 2026
The younger McCreary was the propelling wordsmith on “One Fine Day.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2026
Both legs were moving—awkwardly, to be sure, but the frog was propelling itself with both legs.
From "Messenger" by Lois Lowry
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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.
