propel — To drive or push something forward with force; to cause to move in a particular direction.
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: To drive or push something forward with force; to cause to move in a particular direction.
Pronunciation (IPA): /prəˈpɛl/
Example Sentences
- My morning coffee addiction propels me out of bed faster than any alarm clock.
- The strong wind propelled the sailboat across the lake.
- His fear of being late propelled him to run three miles in record time.
propel
VERB[/prəˈpɛl/]
To drive or push something forward with force; to cause to move in a particular direction.

While the drift boat floated motionless on the calm lake, the roaring jet engine spun to propel the speedboat across the open waves.

PRO (forward) + PEL (strike and push) — by letting daily curiosity PEL (thrust) her PRO (ahead), the young inventor built devices to propel her career.

Daring to dispel all crew doubts and train hard to excel, the navigator used the sea winds to propel the vessel past the cape.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From Latin 'propellere,' meaning 'to drive forward or push ahead.' The word literally described the action of pushing something forward with force, like ancient Roman soldiers driving their enemies forward in battle.
Breakdown
pro- (forward/ahead) + pellere (to push/drive) = to push forward
🎵Rhyme
📝Examples
“My morning coffee addiction propels me out of bed faster than any alarm clock.”
“The strong wind propelled the sailboat across the lake.”
“His fear of being late propelled him to run three miles in record time.”
“The gossip about free pizza propelled the entire office toward the break room.”
📚Related Words
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