PROPELLED Synonyms: 56 Similar and Opposite Words

propelled

verb

past tense of propel

as in pushed

to apply force to (someone or something) so that it moves in front of one playfully he propelled his rambunctious friend into the swimming pool to cool off

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in drove

to set or keep in motion the aircraft is propelled by a pair of turboprop engines

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of propelled The telescope will get off the ground and be propelled into space from the historic Launch Complex 39A – the site of many Apollo moon mission launches – at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center near Cape Canaveral, Florida. — Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026 Her immense musical talent guaranteed her top-tier standing in country music and propelled her into a level of mainstream success that only a handful of her peers would match. — Ann Powers, NPR, 26 Aug. 2026 Regardless of how Nvidia stock performs following earnings this quarter, the latest numbers will immediately send signals about the health of global equity markets, which are being propelled by the AI boom. — Tobias Burns, CNBC, 25 Aug. 2026 Earlier this year, its successes propelled it into the unicorn club. — Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 23 Aug. 2026 However, a recent 10-4 surge has surprisingly propelled them back into the Wild Card race, defying earlier expectations of a lost season. — Barry M. Bloom, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026 Alongside Jessica Shepard and Arike Ogunbowale, Bueckers has propelled the Wings from the bottom of the league standings to playoff contention in one season. — Annie Costabile, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026 This imbalance creates a net force in one direction, allowing the researchers to design objects that could be propelled by sound. — Sara Hashemi, Popular Science, 19 Aug. 2026 Creatives came together the next morning and drafted a storyline, ensuring the material was both strong for Oliver and propelled the story forward. — Tanya Fedak, Variety, 18 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for propelled

Verb

The threat of shortages pushed countries across Asia to impose export bans, cut import duties, and start rationing fuel to maintain supplies.

— Katie Silver, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026
The extreme heat pushed up air conditioning electricity demand, while heavy storms simultaneously dealt a blow to power supplies in parts of the country.

— , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of pushed

Verb

In the 1970s, Khouri, who went on to win the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for Thelma & Louise, drove past the Tudor-style house almost every day.

— Caroline Randall Williams, Architectural Digest, 27 Aug. 2026
The next day, David drove back to Altadena while Lauren took the girls to Target to buy toothbrushes and underwear.

— Nicola Twilley, New Yorker, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of drove

Verb

Just last week, 65-year-old Lydia Zuniga’s leg was broken in three places after a mentally ill stranger shoved her onto the tracks at a Bronx subway station in an unprovoked attack.

— Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 31 Aug. 2026
At the weigh-ins and face-off for the IBF heavyweight championship fight, Itauma shoved Hrgovic off the stage and the latter retaliated by slapping the former's face.

— Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of shoved

Verb

Cameron moved up to the division earlier this year and defeated Michaela Kotaskova by unanimous decision in April to claim the vacant WBO title and become a two-weight world champion.

— Amelie Claydon, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026
Ragged, jagged or fluffy edges point to a Bristol Type 6 stool, meaning waste moved through the colon too fast for water to be absorbed properly.

— Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of moved

Verb

Steven Black raised a piece of asphalt and, over and over, thrust it into Susan Watkins’ face.

— Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Aug. 2026
Corbin uses cabbage as an anchor in his new and expanding Rolodex of flavors, thrusting it into the fire until the outer layers are blackened and frizzled.

— Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of thrust

Verb

The feature is only available when a driver has activated Uber’s Record My Ride feature and enabled live streaming, according to information Uber provided to Mashable.

— Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 27 Aug. 2026
The sight had activated an ancient and superstitious circuit in my brain that insisted the sun simply shouldn't look this way.

— Anthony Wood, Space.com, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of activated

Verb

His experience impelled him to join an informal yet determined community of researchers, doctors, and patients pushing for extra studies to help patients and doctors find the right dosage for an array of cancer drugs.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026
Our purpose in glorifying Him – our responsiveness to Him – is as God-impelled and empowered as is His responsibility to us.

— Judith Hardy Olson, Christian Science Monitor, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of impelled

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propellants

propelled

propelling

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“Propelled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/propelled. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of propelled

verb

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