transitive verbpropels, propelling, propelled

• 1Drive, push, or cause to move in a particular direction, typically forward.

  ‘the boat is propelled by using a very long paddle’

  More example sentences

  • ‘a rocket-propelled grenade launcher’
  • ‘But he found he could propel himself forward by pushing off against the sides with his feet.’
  • ‘The propeller or the jet engine of an aircraft pushes air backwards to propel the aircraft forward.’
  • ‘And you'll get the added boost of an extra body propelling the boat forward.’
  • ‘A stroke consists of four components that have to be completed perfectly to propel the boat forward as fast as possible.’
  • ‘As the body continues to move forward over the new stance foot, that leg extends to provide extra thrust, which propels the body forward into the next step.’
  • ‘And as the bends move back, they push against the ground, propelling the snake forward.’
  • ‘As the dimple moves, it acts like an oar, pushing against the surrounding water and creating a force that propels the spider forward.’
  • ‘He takes a seat directly behind, and as the bus lurches off, propelling us forward in our seats, he closes his eyes, just for a millisecond longer than strictly required.’
  • ‘If you were so inspired, you could actually learn to work the big red wheels in the proper manner to propel you forward.’
  • ‘Placing advertising material on a mechanically propelled vehicle is also an offence.’
  • ‘A magnetic force propelled me forward, then flung me through the steel door.’
  • ‘Their leathery wings beat against the blackness in steady flaps, propelling them forward.’
  • ‘She propels my quivering body forward with her arm that's on my shoulder.’
  • ‘The wave can also propel solid projectiles, such as cannonballs.’
  • ‘Use your arms to help propel you upward and to control the movement.’
  • ‘I use the last amount of my remaining strength to propel myself upward.’
  • ‘Solar sails will use the sun's energy to propel spacecraft across the cosmos.’
  • ‘One U.S. team propelled a spacecraft to 68,000 feet, or about 13 miles.’
  • ‘As such, they don't propel the craft through the water very well!’
  • ‘An intricate system of magnetic fields propelled the craft along and away from Earth.’

  Synonyms

  move forwards, push forwards, move, set in motion, get moving, drive

  throw, thrust, toss, fling, hurl, lob, let fly, launch, pitch, project, send, shoot

  View synonyms

  1. 1.1Spur or drive into a particular situation.
     ‘fear propelled her out of her stillness’
     More example sentences

     • ‘These were ordinary people who were propelled into an extraordinary situation.’
     • ‘Do not let fear of error or retribution propel you into a medical appointment or a dangerous situation.’
     • ‘He established himself as the champion of the working people and that helped propel him to the presidency.’
     • ‘It's this sort of oceanic sonic force that propels the film to its conclusion.’
     • ‘A death happens - and we are propelled in a direction that we couldn't have imagined.’
     Synonyms

     spur, drive, prompt, precipitate, catapult, motivate, force, impel

     View synonyms