propel

/prəˈpel/ (bre, ipa) · /prəˈpel/ (ame, ipa) · /prə-ˈpel/ (ame, mw)

propel — 動詞

  • propelpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • propelshe / she / it
  • propelledpast simple
  • propelling-ing form

1. to push or drive an object forward by applying physical force, often through a m

1.動詞及物B2
釋義

推動；推進

施加力量使物體往前移動

to push or drive an object forward by applying physical force, often through a mechanism or natural force such as wind or water

例句

The strong wind propelled the small sailboat across the lake.

強風推動小船越過湖面。

propel + object + across [location]

A jet engine uses burning fuel to propel the aircraft through the sky.

噴射引擎利用燃燒的燃料推進飛機飛過天空。

to + infinitive showing purpose

同義詞
  • push

    more general, less forceful — 'push' works for any slight movement

  • drive

    suggests continuous, powered motion usually by a machine

  • thrust

    implies a sudden, sharp forward push

反義詞
  • stop

    to bring movement to an end

  • halt

    to cause something to stop moving forward

文法句型

propel + object + adverb/preposition

用法筆記

Subject is usually a mechanical device (engine, motor, fan) or a natural force (wind, water, current). The object is typically followed by a preposition or adverb that indicates the direction of movement — using 'propel' without a direction phrase sounds unnatural.

常見錯誤

❌The fan propelled the papers.
✅The fan propelled the papers across the room.
💡'propel' almost always needs a direction word or phrase to sound complete.

2. to strongly influence or drive a person or organization to take action or reach

2.動詞及物B2
釋義

驅使；促使

強烈影響促使其行動

to strongly influence or drive a person or organization to take action or reach a particular position or state

例句

The prize money propelled Ari to start his own business.

獎金驅使 Ari 創業開了自己的公司。

propel + object + to-infinitive

Ada's strong curiosity propelled her into a career in scientific research.

Ada 強烈的好奇心促使她投入科學研究這一行。

propel + object + into [situation]

同義詞
  • spur

    more immediate and emotional — suggests a sudden push to act

  • motivate

    focuses on inner desire or reason, less forceful than 'propel'

  • impel

    formal; suggests an internal moral or logical force

反義詞
  • discourage

    to make someone less willing to act

  • deter

    to prevent someone from acting through fear or doubt

文法句型

propel + object + to-infinitive

propel + object + into/to/toward + noun phrase

用法筆記

The cause in this sense is usually an abstract force — ambition, curiosity, success, failure, or a sudden event — not a physical mechanism. Distinguish from sense 1: sense 2 takes a person or organization as its object, while sense 1 takes a physical object.

常見錯誤

❌Her speech propelled me.
✅Her speech propelled me to volunteer at the shelter.
💡In the figurative sense, 'propel' needs a complement (to do something or into a situation) to sound complete.