propel

pro·pel

verb \prə-ˈpel\

pro·pelledpro·pel·ling

Definition of PROPEL

transitive verb

: to drive forward or onward by or as if by means of a force that imparts motion

Examples of PROPEL

1. He grabbed him and propelled him through the door.
2. The train is propelled by steam.

Origin of PROPEL

Middle English propellen, from Latin propellere, from pro- before + pellere to drive — more at felt

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to PROPEL

Synonyms: drive, push, shove, thrust

Related Words: impel, move; bear (down), compress, depress, jam, pressure, squash, squeeze, weigh (upon); bulldoze, compel, force, lean (on or against), muscle, ram

Near Antonyms: bridle, check, constrain, contain, control, curb, inhibit, regulate, rein (in), restrain

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Rhymes with PROPEL

band shell, barbell, Becquerel, Blackwell, bluebell, bombshell, bridewell, cadelle, cartel, chandelle, Chanel, clamshell, compel, cormel, cornel, corral, cowbell, cupel, diel, dispel, doorbell, dry cell, dry well, dumbbell, duxelles, ear shell, eggshell, excel, expel, farewell, fat cell, foretell, fuel cell, gazelle, germ cell, Glaspell, gromwell, groundswell, half shell, handbell, hard sell, hard-shell, harebell, hotel, impel, indwell, inkwell, Jarrell, jurel, Kandel, lampshell, lapel, Mandel, marcel, maxwell, Maxwell, micelle, misspell, morel, motel, nacelle, nerve cell, Nobel, noel, nouvelle, nutshell, oil well, Orel, Orwell, outsell, pall-mall, Parnell, pastel, pell-mell, pixel, pointelle, Ponselle, presell, quenelle, rakehell, rappel, Ravel, rebel, refel, repel, respell, retell, riel, rondel, Roswell, saurel, scalpel, seashell, sequel, sleigh bell, soft sell, soft-shell, solgel, speedwell, spinel, stairwell, star shell, stem cell, tooth shell, unsell, unwell, upwell, wind-bell