propel

3 definitions • 5 examples

to push or move something somewhere, often with a lot of force:

a rocket propelled through space

The Kon-Tiki sailed across the Pacific Ocean propelled by wind power.

to cause someone to do an activity or be in a situation:

The film propelled him to international stardom.

to cause something to move forward:

Seals use their fins and flippers to propel them through the water with great force.

fig. If the team won the next two games, they would be propelled into the number one ranking in collegiate football.