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
  • From 1968-70, the show ran for 52 episodes on ABC, helping to put Sherman on the covers of teen magazines.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 30 Mar. 2025
  • Ironically, for years, the United States has run a large trade deficit with Russia, the country Trump wants to embrace the most.
    Stuart Anderson, Forbes.com, 30 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The company has now motored into the Taipei Cycle 2025 trade show with a fat-tire adventure model and an addition to its ebii commuter.
    Paul Ridden, New Atlas, 27 Mar. 2025
  • This season, led by first-time All-Star Cade Cunningham and Coach of the Year candidate J.B. Bickerstaff, the Pistons have motored to the No. 6 spot in the Eastern Conference.
    Jason Clinkscales, Sportico.com, 12 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Are Puerto Rican filmmakers pushing for this to change?
    Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2025
  • The veteran pushed through, however — and for a second straight campaign.
    Jesse Newell, Kansas City Star, 28 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Her story forced the country to confront a flawed legal system and the cultural discomfort with women who challenged it.
    Gemma Allen, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025
  • Thune refused to shield Tillis from Trump, forcing him to tell the President personally.
    David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • 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
  • 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
Verb
  • Eventually any discourse about his low batting average and moving him in the lineup evaporated as Judge finished with a .322 average, 58 homers and 144 RBIS, barely missing out on matching Mickey Mantle in the Triple Crown department.
    Larry Fleisher, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
  • This left him a lame-duck president prevented from moving forward on legislation to cut taxes and ease business regulations, as his main rivals in the Democratic Party used parliament to impeach key cabinet members and hold up a budget bill.
    Helen Regan, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The incident comes some seven years after an American missionary, John Allen Chau, traveled to the same island with a bible.
    Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 5 Apr. 2025
  • Last year, the Russian leader traveled to Mongolia without facing any repercussions – despite the East Asian country being a member of the ICC.
    Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 5 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The back-bone contusion that prematurely ended his 2024-25 campaign after 30 games stemmed from a fall during a Mar. 19 road win vs. the Minnesota Timberwolves.
    Bobby Krivitsky, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025
  • There is a road closure on Walnut Street between East 18th Street and I-670 East.
    Kansas City Star Bot, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Drive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drive. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.

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