drive 1 of 2

1
as in to run
to urge, push, or force onward cowboys drove the herd of cattle from San Antonio to San Francisco

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in to motor
to travel by a motorized vehicle I'm going to drive across the country—want to come?

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
as in to push
to apply force to (someone or something) so that it moves in front of one drove the plunger into the opening

Synonyms & Similar Words

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drive

2 of 2

noun

1
2
as in campaign
a series of activities undertaken to achieve a goal a fund-raising drive for the school's marching band

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb drive differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of drive are actuate, impel, and move. While all these words mean "to set or keep in motion," drive implies imparting forward and continuous motion and often stresses the effect rather than the impetus.

a ship driven aground by hurricane winds

When might actuate be a better fit than drive?

The words actuate and drive can be used in similar contexts, but actuate stresses transmission of power so as to work or set in motion.

turbines actuated by waterpower

When would impel be a good substitute for drive?

While the synonyms impel and drive are close in meaning, impel is usually figurative and suggests a great motivating impetus.

a candidate impelled by ambition

When could move be used to replace drive?

In some situations, the words move and drive are roughly equivalent. However, move is very general and implies no more than the fact of changing position.

moved the furniture

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of drive
Verb
Winner: Mac mini Verdict: Mac mini Wins on Price, Mac Studio Dominates on Performance Comparing the Mac mini and the Mac Studio should drive home the idea that there's not always a clear winner between two systems. PC Magazine, 8 Apr. 2025 However, recent stock market fluctuations have driven its market cap down to around $8 billion — more win than loss. Losers: Even by 2021 standards, Klarna's $45.6 billion valuation seemed rich — so much so that its value was reset to $6.7 billion just a year later. Ryan Lawler, Axios, 8 Apr. 2025
Noun
Details sent to the company included the health and read / write values of the drive using CrystalDiskInfo, which is a program that can read the SMART data embedded in most hard disks. Umar Shakir, The Verge, 7 Feb. 2023 As part of the drive for efficiency, NHS managers were pressured to keep bed vacancies low. David Luhnow, WSJ, 6 Feb. 2023 See All Example Sentences for drive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drive
Verb
  • His parents, who tell THR their son is taking the abrupt introduction to fame in stride, perch nearby, ready to run him home after the shoot.
    Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Regardless of whether it is run by M+ or the HKMOA, transparency is important to both the art community and taxpayers.
    News Desk, Artforum, 10 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Those motoring to work in a Rolls-Royce aren’t being left out, either.
    Susan Campos, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Mar. 2025
  • The plot is motored by their deft, defiant mouths.
    Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Are Puerto Rican filmmakers pushing for this to change?
    Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2025
  • There are ways to push back against the horrors, but even the most ardent activist among us can’t be protesting 24/7.
    James Factora, Them., 28 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • However, no amount of care or good intentions can prevent the sudden demolition of the brothers’ home, courtesy of a vague order from the IDF — for which the family is even forced to pay.
    Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Due to the alligator's aggressive behavior, Department of Natural Resources contractors were forced to euthanize the reptile and remove it from the area.
    Doc Louallen, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Every morning, guests can watch as the Chronos opens the portals by lining them up and activating them.
    Samantha Neely, USA Today, 6 Apr. 2025
  • In this case, we’re well served to recognize that our social capital is enriched by diversifying across those deeper, fewer connections as well as the more numerous casual relationships that often have an outsized positive impact when activated at the right time.
    Tim Maurer, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The company intended to move the drug into late-stage testing, which is generally the last phase of development before a company submits the potential treatment to government regulators for approval.
    Time, Time, 15 Apr. 2025
  • The bill also included moving $1.1 million from the Constitutional Defense Fund into the Legislative Legal Defense Fund.
    Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 15 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Yet, as so often happens in the sport, Estrada did not travel a straight line to big-league prosperity.
    Dennis Lin, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2025
  • The other travels out of Florida twice a year with her U.S.-born child who has a disability.
    Ana Ceballos, Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The Chubs had a long road to this seemingly happy ending.
    Luke Cyphers, Sportico.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Electric cars hit the roads and smart phones hit the stores.
    Michael Schneider, Variety, 10 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Drive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drive. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.

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