DRIVE Synonyms: 518 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

drive 1 of 2

verb

ˈdrīv

Definition of drive next

as in to run

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

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Relevance

as in to motor

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

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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

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as in to force

to cause (a person) to give in to pressure the corrupt governor was driven out of office

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as in to activate

to cause to function machinery driven by waterpower

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as in to move

to set or keep in motion this motor drives the gears, which then turn the shaft

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as in to travel

to proceed or move quickly the runner drove past the finish line and then came to a dead stop

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drive

2 of 2

noun

as in road

a passage cleared for public vehicular travel raced our motorcycles along the drive

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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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as in desire

a strong wish for something a drive to succeed in the television news business

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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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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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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

The guard told 911 dispatch that a suspicious vehicle — a dark SUV — had driven through his yard. —

Emma Steele, CBS News, 26 Jan. 2025 Baltimore’s greatest strength lies in its people — grassroots organizations, health care providers and community leaders tirelessly working to save lives and drive change. —

Pradeep Thomas, Baltimore Sun, 26 Jan. 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

Kick-off times at the Copa America — which ran from June 20 to July 14 at 14 venues across the United States — were at 6pm, 7pm, 8pm and 9pm ET (11pm, 12am, 1am and 2am GMT).

— Sam Joseph, The Athletic, 30 Jan. 2025
The show was slated to run from April 11 to May 11 before heading to Edinburgh, Birmingham, and Manchester.

— Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 29 Jan. 2025