propel

[pruh-pel]

verb (used with object)

propelled, propelling 

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

propel

/ prəˈpɛl /

verb

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

Other Word Forms

• unpropelled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of propel¹

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”

Word History and Origins

Origin of propel¹

C15: from Latin prōpellere to drive onwards, from _pro- ¹ + pellere to drive

Example Sentences

Arsenal came into this season on the back of a busy summer transfer window where they spent around £250m and brought in eight players to propel another push for the Premier League title.

From BBC

His fourth T20 hundred contained 15 fours and eight sixes and propelled England to their highest total in the format and the highest score in a T20I between two full-member nations.

From BBC

Artists such as Arijit have the Bollywood machine to propel their songs to wide audiences, but the Official Asian Music Chart has also given a platform to acts working outside the film industry.

From BBC

While the “Demon Slayer” manga was generally positively received, the TV adaptation helped further propel its reach.

From Los Angeles Times

Oracle has recently been propelled by growing demand for data centre infrastructure.

From BBC

Related Words

• drive 
• push 
• send 
• shoot 
• thrust