PROPELS Synonyms: 55 Similar and Opposite Words

propels

verb

present tense third-person singular of propel

as in pushes

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 drives

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 propels His attempt to discover what he is supposed to be doing propels him through a succession of increasingly strange encounters, as his search for purpose becomes entangled with his desire for love, friendship and some kind of place in the world. — Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 28 Aug. 2026 This is partly what propels his mole demi-glace, a convergence of inspirations realized in a duck and smoked chicken stock sharpened by the foundational components of mole. — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026 More importantly, part of what propels the narrative in the book is Bret being the only one of his friends to see a dark side to Robert. — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 13 Aug. 2026 In fact, sometimes the name is what propels us toward development in the first place. — Chris Morocco, Bon Appetit Magazine, 13 Aug. 2026 Brands should get in before this propels the actor even further into the mainstream. — Madeleine Schulz, Vogue, 12 Aug. 2026 This code motivates us and propels us toward our own personal growth cycles. — Sharon Daniels, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026 While scoping out the attraction, the little fox ended up slipping into the waterway that propels the ride, leaving the animal treading water while rafts full of concerned parkgoers passed by. — Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 6 Aug. 2026 Highlights will include the world’s first upside-down launch, a final launch that propels the train to 100 mph, and a thrilling 180-degree bank spiral that offers breathtaking views of the park below. — Carly Caramanna, Travel + Leisure, 29 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for propels

Verb

Incoming low pressure from the west pushes away heat and allows better moisture to enter the state, raising rain chances as soon as Friday evening and increasing through the weekend.

— Tevian Whitehurst, AZCentral.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Most of life is complex and multifaceted, and reading is one of the only habits that pushes back against the instinct to see things in black and white.

— Mckenna Friedland, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of pushes

Verb

Reuse drives the design That reusable architecture could be just as important as the rocket’s lower unit cost.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026
The science behind rare disease drug development is changing fast, and with it, so is the financial engine that drives it all.

— Brad Quick, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of drives

Verb

The video shows Ron Thompson appear to swing at Thompson, and Stephanie Daniels shoves her.

— Grant Lancaster, Arkansas Online, 9 July 2026
Here in the famous Festival Theatre, the sprite Ariel, played in splendidly sprightly fashion by Marissa Orjalo, opens up the top of a piano, a piece of island flotsam and Prospero, in the form of the veteran actor Geraint Wyn Davies, shoves his coat inside, throws up his hands and closes the lid.

— Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2026

Definition of shoves

Verb

Areas farther east could see greater impacts if the center moves toward the Sabine Pass area, as some forecast guidance currently suggests.

— Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026
In training camp, Steward worked at nickel and at safety, but the personnel moves around the secondary have factored him out.

— Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of moves

Verb

Kohler’s Dekoda, one of the newest entries, activates with a fingerprint tap on a remote.

— Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Aug. 2026
This celestial season activates your expansive ninth house of adventure, education and exposure, inspiring you to take a leap of faith or perhaps even embark on a meaningful trip.

— Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 22 Aug. 2026