1
2
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
4
as in to force
to cause (a person) to give in to pressure
the corrupt governor was driven out of office
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to activate
to cause to function
machinery driven by waterpower
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6
as in to move
to set or keep in motion
this motor drives the gears, which then turn the shaft
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in to travel
to proceed or move quickly
the runner drove past the finish line and then came to a dead stop
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in road
a passage cleared for public vehicular travel
raced our motorcycles along the drive
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2
as in campaign
a series of activities undertaken to achieve a goal
a fund-raising drive for the school's marching band
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3
as in desire
a strong wish for something
a drive to succeed in the television news business
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4
as in energy
active strength of body or mind
senior citizens who exercise regularly are more likely to have the drive to keep up with their grandchildren
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5
as in ambition
readiness to engage in daring or difficult activity
a great opportunity for a sales representative who is full of drive
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Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of drive
Tim Britton, New York Times, 19 June 2025
The narrative twist: the story is driven not by the characters themselves but by eight distinct emotions in their minds — comedic, romantic, bizarre, and rational.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 19 June 2025
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
Verb
Alvarez has been pleased with his pitch recognition, which has helped drive his walk rate and on-base percentage to career bests.
—Tim Britton, New York Times, 19 June 2025
The narrative twist: the story is driven not by the characters themselves but by eight distinct emotions in their minds — comedic, romantic, bizarre, and rational.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 19 June 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
-
Later at an event, Sawaya ran into Foreman, who asked him to reconsider applying, saying the hiring committee would try to keep his name out of the public eye.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
22 June 2025
-
One of France’s oldest greenways, the lakeside route runs nearly 20 miles along the western shore between Annecy and Val de Chaise.—
Lane Nieset,
Travel + Leisure,
22 June 2025
Verb
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Those motoring to work in a Rolls-Royce aren’t being left out, either.—
Susan Campos,
The Hollywood Reporter,
23 Mar. 2025
-
The man appears to briefly lift the scooter away from the child’s leg, the child gets back on the scooter, and Miller eventually motors away.—
Chris Boyette,
CNN Money,
4 May 2025
Verb
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Video footage from the incident showed Padilla pushed to the ground and handcuffed outside the door while attempting to speak to Noem during the conference.—
Anna Commander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 June 2025
-
Harper was solid last season and may push Johnson for his role.—
Tashan Reed,
New York Times,
20 June 2025
Verb
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Damaging Iran’s nuclear facilities, decapitating its leadership structure, and repeatedly disrupting its enrichment efforts forces Tehran into a permanent state of caution.—
David A. Deptula,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
-
The murder thrusts Zhan-Zhou into the spotlight and the court of public opinion, forcing her towards a fate intertwined with that of her own country.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
23 June 2025
Verb
-
Greenberg's team was activated three days before the storm made landfall, according to Congressional testimony by then-FEMA administrator Deanne Criswell.—
Rebecca Hersher,
NPR,
17 June 2025
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Alternative Option: Plug-In Hybrids (PHEVs) Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles combine electric-only driving (typically 20–50 miles) with a gasoline engine that activates when the battery is depleted.—
Josh Max,
Forbes.com,
17 June 2025
Verb
-
On March 9, a moisture-laden warm weather system moves up from the south and stalls.—
Staff report,
Hartford Courant,
14 June 2025
-
Some of its missiles have a range of more than 300 miles and can strike a moving ship.—
Tom Vanden Brook,
USA Today,
14 June 2025
Verb
-
Before their egos ruined it, Buffalo Bill and Doc Carver hosted a traveling Wild West Show, starting in 1883.—
Mac Engel,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
16 June 2025
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And while the first U.K. show debuted over a week ago on June 5, fans continue to travel from across the globe, keeping the excitement alive for each show.—
Caché McClay,
USA Today,
16 June 2025
Noun
-
The government urged residents to remain calm, head to the nearest safest place and to use main roads only when necessary.—
Alex Gangitano,
The Hill,
23 June 2025
-
William Saller emphasizes that the long road, although more challenging, usually leads to something far more meaningful.—
Wyles Daniel,
USA Today,
23 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Drive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drive. Accessed 28 Jun. 2025.
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