propel vs actuate

propel and actuate both are verbs.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
propel	No	No	Yes	No
actuate	No	No	Yes	No

As verbs, propel and actuate are synonyms defined as:

Other synonyms of propel include incite, motivate, move, prompt.

propel (verb)	actuate (verb)
cause to move forward with force	put in motion or move to act
give an incentive for action	give an incentive for action