1. (

• propel ,
• impel

) cause to move forward with force; "Steam propels this ship" ;

2. (

• motivate ,
• actuate ,
• propel ,
• move ,
• prompt ,
• incite

) give an incentive for action; "This moved me to sacrifice my career" ;

1. (

• propellant ,
• propellent ,
• propelling ,
• propulsive

) tending to or capable of propelling; "propellant fuel for submarines"; "the faster a jet plane goes the greater its propulsive efficiency"; "universities...the seats of propulsive thought" ;