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

Would a strong finish to the club season propel him back into the picture?

From BBC

Four engines are installed on the bottom of the rocket to work with the boosters to propel SLS off the ground.

From The Wall Street Journal

The rebound in inflation was expected, propelled by energy prices rising by 4.9%.

From The Wall Street Journal

"My biggest hope is that the World Cup will propel more fan engagement, which has been growing. But I want to see the stadiums full."

From BBC

The wave was boosted by Costco, one of the country’s largest retailers, which filed a lawsuit that propelled some other nervous importers to join it even before the high court ruled.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• drive
• push
• send
• shoot
• thrust