drive-by

1 of 2

adjective

ˈdrīv-ˈbī 

1

: carried out from a moving vehicle

a drive-by shooting

2

: done or made in a quick or cursory manner

drive-by

2 of 2

noun

ˈdrīv-ˌbī 

plural drive-bys

: a drive-by shooting

Synonyms of drive-by

Adjective

• hurried
• cursory
• rushed
• rash
• impulsive
• hasty
• reckless
• sudden
• quick
• makeshift
• flying
• rapid
• precipitous
• headlong
• spontaneous

Examples of drive-by in a Sentence

Adjective

the administrator's schedule left her with no time to make more than a drive-by assessment of the situation

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The victim, who Cofield considered a romantic rival, survived the 2018 drive-by shooting but was left paralyzed from the waist down. — Danny Robbins, AJC.com, 16 July 2026

According to arrest warrants obtained by Atlanta News First, video footage indicates that Webb was allegedly involved in a separate drive-by shooting on that same day. — Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 11 July 2026

Noun

Ali was charged in Dakota County with two counts of drive-by shooting charges and one count of second-degree assault for the Burnsville shooting. — Wcco Staff, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2026

The violence increased in March when his synagogue was also targeted in a drive-by shooting. — Amelie Botbol, FOXNews.com, 15 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1968, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1977, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for drive-by

• abscissae
• adonai
• alibi
• alkali
• alumni
• amoebae
• amplify
• annuli
• beautify
• brachii
• butterfly
• calculi