1
2
3
as in pushes
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 compels
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 activates
to cause to function
machinery driven by waterpower
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in moves
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 speeds
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 highways
a passage cleared for public vehicular travel
raced our motorcycles along the drive
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in campaigns
a series of activities undertaken to achieve a goal
a fund-raising drive for the school's marching band
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of drives
Chris Branch, The Athletic, 5 Jan. 2025
Everyone either deals directly with a customer, supports someone who does or is part of the process that drives or supports the customer experience.
—Shep Hyken, Forbes, 5 Jan. 2025
Manuel drives this simplicity forward with his passion for giving back to his community.
—Kyle J. Russell, USA TODAY, 4 Jan. 2025
Culture is a strategic tool that drives engagement, innovation, and results.
—Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes, 4 Jan. 2025
Recreationally, Schnell drives vehicles weighing more than 12,000 pounds for stadiums packed with fans.
—Colson Thayer, People.com, 4 Jan. 2025
This consistent use across the team is what drives real, tangible value.
—Peter Benei, Forbes, 3 Jan. 2025
UConn’s lead is up to 72-43 now, then with 55 seconds to go, Allie drives into the lane left-handed, mind you, and flips one in off the glass!
—John Nogowski, Hartford Courant, 3 Jan. 2025
The path is difficult, but your purpose drives you.
—Julia Brandon, Forbes, 3 Jan. 2025
Verb
Zack Rosenblatt spent time with Vrabel over the last five months and came away with a fantastic tale of who Vrabel is now, and what drives him.
—Chris Branch, The Athletic, 5 Jan. 2025
Everyone either deals directly with a customer, supports someone who does or is part of the process that drives or supports the customer experience.
—Shep Hyken, Forbes, 5 Jan. 2025
Manuel drives this simplicity forward with his passion for giving back to his community.
—Kyle J. Russell, USA TODAY, 4 Jan. 2025
Culture is a strategic tool that drives engagement, innovation, and results.
—Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes, 4 Jan. 2025
Recreationally, Schnell drives vehicles weighing more than 12,000 pounds for stadiums packed with fans.
—Colson Thayer, People.com, 4 Jan. 2025
This consistent use across the team is what drives real, tangible value.
—Peter Benei, Forbes, 3 Jan. 2025
UConn’s lead is up to 72-43 now, then with 55 seconds to go, Allie drives into the lane left-handed, mind you, and flips one in off the glass!
—John Nogowski, Hartford Courant, 3 Jan. 2025
The path is difficult, but your purpose drives you.
—Julia Brandon, Forbes, 3 Jan. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drives
Verb
-
Shoppers mention that the set runs large, so consider sizing down.—
Annita Katee,
Travel + Leisure,
4 Jan. 2025
-
Sancho made one or two good recovery runs to track Munoz, but those efforts were not consistent, leaving Cucurella to defend one-on-one too often.—
Liam Twomey,
The Athletic,
4 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Our show often pushes boundaries somewhat for the network, so that’s not abnormal for them.—
Alan Sepinwall,
Rolling Stone,
4 Jan. 2025
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Lean on a Success Partner Find someone who knows you well, celebrates your wins, pushes you to move forward, and supports you when things get tough.—
AllBusiness,
Forbes,
3 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
At the book’s conclusion, looking far into a post-apocalyptic future, Jacobsen compels us to consider what future generations—or the remnants of humanity, should any survive a nuclear war—might think of a civilization that took 12,000 years to build but just 72 hours to destroy itself.—
Michael Sheldrick,
Forbes,
28 Dec. 2024
-
Dianne Brill talking about what compels them to create, among other topics.—
Morgan Meier,
Curbed,
27 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The brain’s default mode network (DMN), responsible for creativity and processing complex ideas, activates during moments of rest.—
Scott Hutcheson,
Forbes,
24 Dec. 2024
-
Instead, a change in their finances activates the tax.—
Bob Carlson,
Forbes,
23 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The growth in automobile sales, airline and bus travel, subsidized highways, civil unrest in ’67 and ’68, and white flight to the suburbs all took a toll on national and local rail demand.—
Patrick Sauer,
Smithsonian Magazine,
24 Dec. 2024
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Officers from several different police departments in Greater Cincinnati were recently injured in a spate of crashes in which drivers struck emergency vehicles responding on local highways.—
Quinlan Bentley,
The Enquirer,
23 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
Federal election rules allow candidates’ campaigns to foot the bill for travel and security expenses that are connected to their official or campaign duties.—
Laura Gersony,
The Arizona Republic,
24 Dec. 2024
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Recognition programs and communication campaigns highlighting the benefits of digital balance—such as improved focus, reduced stress and better sleep—can reinforce these efforts.—
Dr. Ritu Goel,
Forbes,
23 Dec. 2024
Verb
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This explosion propels brightly burning particles in all directions, creating streaks of light in the air.—
David Bressan,
Forbes,
31 Dec. 2024
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The boisterous music of their debut album Fine Art propels the antics, and Peppiatt’s psychedelic cinematography (plus, some use of claymation) brings a kinetic energy to the biopic genre.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
29 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
On Monday, crews are continuing to work to clear the roads as temperatures sits near zero with negative wind chills.—
Noelle Alviz-Gransee,
Kansas City Star,
6 Jan. 2025
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Crews are working to clear snow and ice from roads after blizzard conditions Sunday brought 8-12 inches of snow in various parts of the metro, according to the National Weather Service in Kansas City.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
6 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Drives.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drives. Accessed 5 Apr. 2025.
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