Meaning & use

propulsive

adjective·Advanced

Having the power or effect of driving something forward, whether physically or in a lively, energetic way.

See it in a sentence

The rocket's propulsive engines pushed it steadily toward orbit.

The song's propulsive drumbeat kept the whole crowd dancing until midnight.

A note on using this word

Propulsive is often used figuratively in music and writing criticism to describe strong forward momentum, not only literal thrust.

Words with a similar meaning

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