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.

The song was written ahead of the “Brat” explosion, before Charli was propelled to a level of fame that didn’t look so different from Swift’s anymore.

From Salon

In 2009, he took charge of Iran’s newly created Aerospace Force and propelled Iran’s missile efforts to a new level.

From The Wall Street Journal

But its explosion into the zeitgeist since its debut last November has propelled its cast - and the people behind the scenes - into the stratosphere.

From BBC

But the fear of missing out on AI is continuing to propel capex levels higher.

From MarketWatch

TOKYO—Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is on course for a big election win, according to polls, propelled by a section of the electorate that political leaders worldwide struggle to reach: young people.

From The Wall Street Journal

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