propel

[ pruh-pel ]

/ prəˈpɛl /

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See synonyms for: propel / propelled / propelling / propels on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), pro·pelled, pro·pel·ling.

to drive, or cause to move, forward or onward: to propel a boat by rowing.

to impel or urge onward: Urgent need of money propelled him to take a job.

OTHER WORDS FOR propel

1, 2 push, prod.

See synonyms for propel on Thesaurus.com

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Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of propel

1400–50; late Middle English propellen to expel <Latin prōpellere to drive forward, equivalent to prō-pro-¹ + pellere to drive

OTHER WORDS FROM propel

un·pro·pelled, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use propel in a sentence

This moment has propelled public companies like Peloton to stratospheric highs — its market cap is about to eclipse $40 billion — but it has also pushed venture capitalists toward plenty of deals in the fitness space.
Future raises $24M Series B for its $150/mo workout coaching app amid at-home fitness boom|Lucas Matney|October 16, 2020|TechCrunch
A succession of “beats” in the days ahead would demonstrate that momentum is building to propel big cap profits well above their all-time peak set just last year.
After soaring, then plunging, earnings are heading for a ‘new normal.’ But where is that, exactly?|Shawn Tully|October 13, 2020|Fortune
It’s all coming together to propel the Rams back near the top of the league in offensive EPA, with the team ranking sixth this season after last year’s drop-off.
The L.A. Rams Are Running Their Way Back Into Contention|Neil Paine (neil.paine@fivethirtyeight.com)|October 8, 2020|FiveThirtyEight
The towering Sierra Nevada reminded me that no amount of pontificating in my head would help propel one foot in front of the other.
How Biking Across America Formed an Unlikely Friendship|Raffi Joe Wartanian|October 8, 2020|Outside Online

Shouting and singing also propel droplets that could contain the virus further than just talking quietly.
How to enjoy fall festivities without spreading COVID-19|Rachael Zisk|October 7, 2020|Popular-Science
I push down on the pedal with my right leg and instead of propelling myself forward, I topple over sideways.
You’re Never ‘Cured’ of an Eating Disorder|Carrie Arnold|December 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
With the rallying cries of these women propelling us forward, the time to move from rhetoric to reality is now.
Are We Listening to Syria’s Women and Girls?|David Miliband, Melanne Verveer|September 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
One opened the cell door while another suddenly charged, propelling Davis inside and slamming him against the back wall.
The Day Ferguson Cops Were Caught in a Bloody Lie|Michael Daly|August 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The 54-year-old Socialist contender was asked by WWD, “Do you see yourself in a role à la Michelle Obama, propelling designers?”
Anne Hidalgo, Paris’s First Female Mayor, Isn’t a Fashionista…and That’s Quite All Right|Erin Cunningham|April 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But, the exposure would be great for the artist, propelling him one step closer to fulfilling the project.
Doppelgangers Really Do Exist: These People Are Strangers|Justin Jones|March 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
For this use of the voice in the special service of will-power, or propelling force, it is necessary first to test its freedom.
Expressive Voice Culture|Jessie Eldridge Southwick
They are for propelling or driving the ball, according to the rules of the game.
The Complete Bachelor|Walter Germain
I need not go into details regarding the propelling mechanism of this craft.
The Fire People|Ray Cummings
A Watt engine and a chain carrying “duck-foot” paddles were his propelling apparatus.
A History of the Growth of the Steam-Engine|Robert H. Thurston
I resent the absolute exclusion of the passengers from even the most distant view of the propelling and guiding forces.
America To-day, Observations and Reflections|William Archer

British Dictionary definitions for propel

propel

/ (prəˈpɛl) /

verb -pels, -pelling or -pelled

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

Word Origin for propel

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

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

propel

OTHER WORDS FOR propel

Origin of propel

OTHER WORDS FROM propel

Words related to propel

How to use propel in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for propel

Word Origin for propel