Antonyms for the verb “propel” are words that convey the opposite action of moving or pushing something forward. These antonyms refer to actions or forces that hinder, block, or inhibit forward movement.
Some antonyms for “propel” include terms like hinder, impede, obstruct, and restrain. These words indicate a resistance or obstacle that prevents or slows down the progress of an object or individual.
Understanding the antonyms for “propel” can provide a comprehensive view of the various forces at play when it comes to movement and motion. By exploring these opposite terms, we can gain insight into the factors that work against propulsion and the diverse ways in which actions can be halted or redirected.
35 Antonyms for PROPEL With Sentences
Here’s a complete list of opposite for propel. Practice and let us know if you have any questions regarding PROPEL antonyms.
| Antonym | Sentence with Propel | Sentence with Antonym |
|---|---|---|
| Halt | The engine propels the car forward. | The brakes halted the car’s movement. |
| Restrain | The strong winds propelled the sailboat. | Fear restrained him from taking any action. |
| Discourage | Her supportive words propelled him to pursue his dreams. | Constant criticism discouraged him from trying new things. |
| Prevent | The strong motivation propelled him to success. | Lack of resources prevented him from achieving his goals. |
| Brake | The strong current propelled the raft downstream. | The emergency brake slowed the car down. |
| Hinder | A strong tailwind propelled the airplane forward. | His lack of experience hindered his progress. |
| Block | The rocket engines propelled the spacecraft into orbit. | Traffic congestion blocked their path. |
| Retard | The boosters propelled the rocket into space. | Friction retarded the car’s speed. |
| Hold back | The team’s determination propelled them to victory. | Fear of failure held them back from giving their best. |
| Depress | The strong current propelled the boat forward. | Failure can depress one’s motivation. |
| Slow down | The strong gust of wind propelled the kite higher. | Applying the brakes can slow down the car. |
| Confine | Strong winds propelled the birds across the sky. | Being indoors confined her freedom. |
| Steady | The conveyor belt propelled the items forward. | His calm demeanor steadied the team in a crisis. |
| Repress | The speech propelled the audience to take action. | The oppressive regime repressed any form of dissent. |
| Control | The jet engines propelled the aircraft forward. | She tried to control her emotions during the argument. |
| Dampen | The motivational speaker’s words propelled the audience to chase their dreams. | Repeated failures can dampen one’s spirits. |
| Stop | A burst of energy propelled her to finish the race. | Giving up is a way to stop oneself from progress. |
| Negate | The strong current propelled the boat downstream. | The counterforce acted to negate the boat’s momentum. |
| Resist | The wind propelled the sailboat forward. | He tried to resist the force pulling him back. |
| Let go | The strong current propelled the kayak downstream. | Sometimes, it’s best to let go and let things happen. |
| Stifle | A powerful drive propelled him to continue despite the obstacles. | Surrounding negativity can stifle one’s ambition. |
| Loosen | The strong winds propelled the ship across the ocean. | Loosening the grip on the reins allowed the horse to move freely. |
| Quash | The supportive environment propelled her to grow. | Negativity can quash one’s enthusiasm. |
| Dissuade | The successful outcomes propelled her to aim higher. | Doubts from others tried to dissuade her from pursuing her goals. |
| Hold on | His determination propelled him to succeed. | Doubts tried to hold him back from moving forward. |
| Cease | The jet engines propelled the plane forward with force. | The peace talks aimed to cease the conflict. |
| Inhibit | The strong wind propelled the sailboat. | Fear can inhibit one’s ability to take risks. |
| Diminish | The strong conviction propelled him to change. | Constant criticism can diminish one’s confidence. |
| Hamper | The strong motivation propelled her forward. | Procrastination can hamper progress. |
Final Thoughts about Antonyms of PROPEL
In contrast to “propel,” which means to drive or push forward, its antonyms like hinder, impede, or inhibit indicate restricting or slowing down progress. Words like deter, halt, or restrain also suggest a lack of movement or advancement, creating obstacles in the way of forward motion. Conversely, terms such as aid, facilitate, or advance reveal actions that support and promote progress, encouraging movement and growth.
While propel signifies moving forward, its opposite conveys a sense of holding back or limiting advancement. By recognizing the various antonyms for propel, we can appreciate the importance of overcoming obstacles and embracing opportunities that enable progress and development in various areas of life.