Propel: meaning, definitions and examples

Use 'propel' when describing causing movement, especially forward or upward, often with force or energy. Common in scientific, mechanical, or technical contexts.

• The rocket engines are designed to propel the spacecraft into orbit.
• She used her legs to propel herself forward in the wheelchair.

Use 'drive' for causing or motivating movement or action, often with a sense of control or direction. It's common in everyday language and mechanical contexts.

• He learned to drive a car when he was sixteen.
• Her passion to help people drives her to work harder.

Use 'push' when exerting force on something to move it away from oneself or achieve movement. Often involves physical touch or manual action.

• She had to push the door open as it was stuck.
• He pushed the cart down the aisle.

Use 'thrust' to convey a sudden or forceful push or movement forward, often implying a quick or aggressive action.

• With a strong thrust, he secured the pole into the ground.
• The jet engines produce a powerful thrust to lift the plane off the runway.

Use 'move' for general actions of changing position or causing change in position. It is the most generic and commonly used term.

• He moved the chair closer to the window.
• Please move your car so I can park mine.

Used when talking about moving something forward, usually with force. It often appears in both mechanical and figurative contexts.

• The strong wind will propel the boat across the lake.
• Her ambition propelled her to finish the project ahead of schedule.

Employed in technical contexts, particularly aeronautics and engineering, to describe tools or mechanisms that generate thrust.

• The rocket's thrust device ensures it can escape Earth's gravity.
• Engineers tested the new thrust device in various conditions.

Refers to the central part of a machine that converts energy into mechanical force, common in cars, planes, and other machinery.

• The car's engine is very powerful.
• They are working on a more efficient engine for the aircraft.

Generally used to describe a small device that generates motion, especially in electrical appliances and smaller machines.

• The motor in the blender stopped working.
• These toys are powered by a small motor.