propel

[pruh-pel]

See more synonyms for propel 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.

Origin of propel

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

Related formsun·pro·pelled, adjective

Synonyms for propel

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1, 2. push, prod.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for propelling

push, thrust, shoot, drive, send, force, shove, launch, move, actuate, impel, start, press, mobilize

Examples from the Web for propelling

Contemporary Examples of propelling

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
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
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
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
This new trend was a decisive turn for Alexei Navalny, propelling him into the media spotlight.
With Last Media Critics Blocked, Putin Silences the Russia Press
Andrei Soldatov
March 15, 2014

Historical Examples of propelling

Mado laughed as he started the generators of the propelling energy.
Astounding Stories of Super-Science, November, 1930
Various
There did not seem to be a large amount of propelling power in her.
Lippincott's Magazine, Vol. 22, September, 1878
Various
They had neither oar nor other means of propelling it to shore.
The Wonder Island Boys: Exploring the Island
Roger Thompson Finlay
He came back quite rapidly, propelling the boat with the paddle.
Forests of Maine
Jacob S. Abbott
"Let's be going," Retief said, propelling Magnan toward the hall.
Gambler's World
John Keith Laumer

British Dictionary definitions for propelling

propel

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

Word Origin and History for propelling

propel

mid-15c., "to drive away, expel," from Latin propellere "push forward, drive forward, drive forth; move, impel," from pro- "forward" (see pro-) + pellere "to push, drive" (see pulse (n.1)). Meaning "to drive onward, cause to move forward" is from 1650s. Related: Propelled; propelling.