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Definitions

propellant

[pruh-pel-uhnt] / prəˈpɛl ənt /
NOUN
aerosol can
Synonyms
WEAK
aerosol bomb aerosol container aerosol dispenser atomizer
NOUN
explosive
Synonyms
STRONGEST
ammunition bomb booby trap detonator dynamite gunpowder mine missile munition powder
STRONG
TNT charge fireworks grease grenade mulligan nitroglycerin pineapple shell shot soup
NOUN
fuel
Synonyms
STRONGEST
ammunition electricity food gas material
STRONG
combustible encouragement incitement juice means nourishment provocation
NOUN
gasoline
Synonyms
STRONGEST
diesel fuel juice oil petrol
STRONG
gasohol
NOUN
incitation
Synonyms
STRONG
bang boost catalyst cause charge encouragement fillip fireworks flash goad impetus impulse incentive incitement inducement instigation invitation kick motivation motive provocation push spur stimulant stimulation sting trigger turnon urging
WEAK
eye-opener piquing shot in the arm
Antonyms
STRONG
block deterrent discouragement hindrance prevention
NOUN
stimulator
Synonyms
WEAK
bang boost catalyst cause charge encouragement eye-opener fillip fireworks flash goad impetus impulse incentive incitation incitement inducement instigation invitation kick motivation motive piquing prod push shot in the arm spur stimulant stimulation sting turnon urging
NOUN
stimulus
Synonyms
STRONGEST
catalyst encouragement fillip impetus incentive motivation stimulant stimulation
STRONG
bang boost cause charge fireworks flash goad impulse incitation incitement inducement instigation invitation kick motive push spur sting turnon urging
WEAK
eye-opener piquing shot in the arm
Antonyms
STRONGEST
block discouragement hindrance
STRONG
deterrent
WEAK
tranquilizer

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The solid rocket boosters for SLS, made by Northrop Grumman, are 17-story-tall devices that burn more than 11,000 pounds of propellant a second during liftoff.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

The Artemis II rocket contains nearly 750,000 gallons of propellant, so lightning is one of the biggest risks to safety.

From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026

"But we're also humans trying to load millions of pounds of propellant onto a giant machine and send it to the Moon," he added.

From Barron's • Mar. 27, 2026

"If we're going to send humans to Mars, you need H2O and not just for drinking, but for propellant and all manner of applications," Luzzi said.

From Science Daily • Dec. 27, 2025

This launch wasn’t advertised, because we had no idea how our new propellant of saltpeter and sugar would work.

From "October Sky" by Homer Hickam

Vocabulary lists containing propellant

This Week in Words: Current Events Vocab for August 27–September 2, 2022

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October Sky

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Selection Vocabulary 2, Unit 6

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!