- 1propel something (+ adv./prep.) to move, drive, or push something forward or in a particular direction mechanically propelled vehicles a boat propelled only by oars He succeeded in propelling the ball across the line.
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- 2propel somebody + adv./prep. to force someone to move in a particular direction or to get into a particular situation She grabbed him from behind and propelled him through the door. Fury propelled her into action. see propulsion
propel
verbNAmE//prəˈpɛl//
[often passive]Verb Forms present simple I / you / we / they propel he / she / it propels
past simple propelled
-ing form propelling
Check pronunciation: propel