as in hurried
acting or done with excessive or careless speed
the administrator's schedule left her with no time to make more than a drive-by assessment of the situation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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-by
An 80-year-old Chicago man was killed Wednesday morning in a drive-by shooting and authorities are trying to figure out who is behind his death.
—
Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 30 Jan. 2025
Obviously, Sip cannot help them out with a Lasher drive-by because Lasher is with Albrecht in God knows where, and plus, Sip is about to be apprehended by the magic bureaucracy.
—Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 26 Jan. 2025
The defendants, all 19 years old, were arrested in connection with drive-by attacks on six victims along University Avenue on the night of Sept. 7.
—City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Jan. 2025
For some, a return to 2020 — before COVID, strikes and devastating wildfires crippled Hollywood’s limping economy — would be welcome, even if meant enduring Trump’s drive-by attacks on the industry.
—Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 22 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for drive-by 
Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 30 Jan. 2025
Obviously, Sip cannot help them out with a Lasher drive-by because Lasher is with Albrecht in God knows where, and plus, Sip is about to be apprehended by the magic bureaucracy.
—Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 26 Jan. 2025
The defendants, all 19 years old, were arrested in connection with drive-by attacks on six victims along University Avenue on the night of Sept. 7.
—City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Jan. 2025
For some, a return to 2020 — before COVID, strikes and devastating wildfires crippled Hollywood’s limping economy — would be welcome, even if meant enduring Trump’s drive-by attacks on the industry.
—Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 22 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for drive-by
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drive-by
Adjective
-
Stride can be a little hurried/sway a fair amount in straight lines but great on cuts/edges.—
Scott Wheeler,
The Athletic,
6 Jan. 2025
-
Overhead, a pair of firefighting helicopters circled in constant, hurried laps between the lake and the burning hillsides.—
Wally Skalij,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Since 2001, the net effect of the state-building mission in Afghanistan has been the emergence of a strong Afghan army and a weak Afghan state, creating an imbalance that should worry anyone with a cursory knowledge of history or political theory.—
Paul D. Miller,
Foreign Affairs,
2 Apr. 2014
-
Taylor Swift's generosity also deserves admiration Swift’s altruism is frequently tagged as a reason for respect and admiration, even from those with a cursory interest in her.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA TODAY,
10 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Doses between 500 and 1,200 mg/day have caused diarrhea, headache, rash, and yellow stool in some people.—
Amber J. Tresca,
Verywell Health,
14 Dec. 2024
-
Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include skin rash, tingling mouth, swelling of the face, tongue or lips, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramping, coughing, dizziness, and swelling of the throat.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
11 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Following Tony’s death, the act of freezing the curry was initially an impulsive decision.—
Ashley Vega,
People.com,
12 Feb. 2025
-
Clearly, Americans were much more motivated by the price of eggs—which, incidentally, have only continued to skyrocket—than Musk's impulsive antics.—
Justin Gest,
Newsweek,
11 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
The Potential Impact On The Renewable Energy Sector A hasty reduction in corporate tax rates could derail the administration’s broader economic agenda by limiting investments in renewable energy, a sector pivotal to U.S. energy dominance.—
George Strobel,
Forbes,
20 Feb. 2025
-
Chicago taxpayers are once again being asked to shoulder the burden of an increase in debt and hasty decision-making.—
George Cardenas,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
As with much of U.S. politics right now, Texas v Becerra feels like a reckless attempt to pull us back to a former time.—
Rebekah Taussig,
TIME,
19 Feb. 2025
-
After reviewing the police investigation, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office approved one count of reckless homicide, a Class 3 felony, against Lopez, Barrington police said.—
Pioneer Press,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Release date, cast, more Queen Latifah, Adrien Brody, Kerry Washington, more stars flock to Thom Browne's NYFW show 'Really bummed out:' Beverly Ortega explains sudden departure from 'The Bachelor' When is WorldPride Music Festival 2025?—
Anthony Robledo,
USA TODAY,
19 Feb. 2025
-
The Digest The Australian art scene continues to reel in the wake of the sudden decision to drop artist Khaled Sabsabi from the country’s Venice Biennale pavilion, which many now suspect may remain empty at the 61st edition of the exhibition.—
The Editors of ARTnews,
ARTnews.com,
18 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Here's a quick bit of context on what's happening in and around the brain.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
15 Feb. 2025
-
Heim was quick to acknowledge the chaos, the unpredictability of Daytona races, and the pressure during the final laps, noting the challenges of maintaining control with worn tires while surrounded by other drivers pushing for top positions.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
15 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near drive-by
Cite this Entry
“Drive-by.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drive-by. Accessed 26 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share