From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishpropelpro‧pel /prəˈpel/ verb (propelled, propelling) [transitive] 1 MOVE something OR somebodyto move, drive, or push something forward → propulsion a boat propelled by a small motor One of our students was unable to propel her wheelchair up the ramp.propel yourself along/through etc She used the sticks to propel herself along.2 written to make someone move in a particular direction, especially by pushing them He took her arm and propelled her towards the door.3 to move someone into a new situation or make them do somethingpropel somebody to/into something The film propelled her to stardom. Company directors were propelled into action.→ See Verb table
Examples from the Corpus
propel• This soldier carries a hand gun, a simple firearm which can propel a lead or stone shot with considerable velocity.• Firefighters reported seeing burning embers on some slopes being propelled as much as a mile in front of the flames.• An aircraft wanders through the upper atmosphere bee-like, propelled by loneliness.• Many predict that electronic commerce will propel global computer networks from the fringe into the core of business.• Rachel's stunning good looks helped propel her to stardom.• The pelican's strong legs and webbed feet propel it in water.• Four jet engines propel the 8,300-ton ship.• Even a diminished Magic should be enough to propel the Lakers into championship contention.• Exquisitely judged dynamics propelled the third movement.propel yourself along/through etc• For a few moments she managed fairly well, taking things slowly and steadily, using the sticks to propel herself along.Origin propel (1400-1500) Latin propellere, from pellere “to drive” 