propel

American  

[pruh-pel] / prəˈpɛl /

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

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propel British  

/ prəˈpɛl /

verb

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

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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

The failure wrecked the Scottish economy, propelling the country into a union with England a few years later, which is how the modern-day U.K. was born.

From The Wall Street Journal

The majority of equity analysts and investors reckon the stock market will continue to rise in 2026, propelled by more interest rate cuts, a stoic economy and optimism over a broadening AI trade.

From MarketWatch

Nights like this are what propelled a fractured Eastside music scene into becoming a full-fledged scene.”

From Los Angeles Times

But the new iPhone 17 seems to be enough of a catalyst to propel Apple to the top position in the global smartphone market.

From MarketWatch

Sources that produce cosmic rays are powerful enough to propel protons or electrons to energies far beyond what the most advanced human-made particle accelerators can reach.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• drive
• push
• send
• shoot
• thrust