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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of drive
Obed Manuel, NPR, 14 May 2025
Right-hander Mitch Keller gave the Mets almost nothing to work with after a Brandon Nimmo drove in Juan Soto in the first inning.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 14 May 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
Now, Medicaid is something that also drives and fuels rural health care.
—Obed Manuel, NPR, 14 May 2025
Right-hander Mitch Keller gave the Mets almost nothing to work with after a Brandon Nimmo drove in Juan Soto in the first inning.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 14 May 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
-
Finally, the Liberty got to enjoy the final piece of last year’s thrilling WNBA Finals run by watching the elusive title banner rise up to the rafters before Saturday’s 92-78 season-opening win against the Las Vegas Aces.—
Fiifi Frimpong,
New York Daily News,
18 May 2025
-
In an administration currently running the lowest early-months public opinion rating in modern history, however, Vance’s forcefulness carries long-term risk.—
Francesca Chambers,
USA Today,
18 May 2025
Verb
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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
-
Those motoring to work in a Rolls-Royce aren’t being left out, either.—
Susan Campos,
The Hollywood Reporter,
23 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
That is a false narrative that Republicans have been pushing for years now.—
Jessica Guynn,
USA Today,
16 May 2025
-
Putin’s next chance at diplomacy came the following week, as Trump and many European leaders pushed him to come to Istanbul for a round of peace talks.—
Simon Shuster,
Time,
15 May 2025
Verb
-
Some have succeeded in slashing sales and forcing policy changes.—
Betty Lin-Fisher,
USA Today,
19 May 2025
-
Speechless in Idaho Dear Speechless: There is no way to force a bully to stop.—
Mark Mondier,
Arkansas Online,
18 May 2025
Verb
-
The Reds traded for Connor Joe from the San Diego Padres before the game, and he was activated the next day.—
C. Trent Rosecrans,
New York Times,
12 May 2025
-
Burn bans are automatically activated by Florida counties whenever the Keetch-Byram Drought Index — a scale that measures the dryness of the soil — reaches or exceeds 500.—
Martin E. Comas,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 May 2025
Verb
-
Among girls' names, Mia moves into the top 5, knocking out Sophia, which was the No. 1 name for girls from 2011-2013 and had been in the top 5 every year from 2009 except for 2021.—
Mike Snider,
USA Today,
10 May 2025
-
Henry moved up two spots from 2023, while Mateo and Elijah moved down.—
Anna Halkidis,
Parents,
9 May 2025
Verb
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In the comments section, many readers pointed out the obvious — the two women clearly have different styles of traveling.—
Erin Clack,
People.com,
11 May 2025
-
To be in the same location, at least one pair would have to travel and pay for a place to stay, because neither of their apartments could fit everyone.—
Rhaina Cohen,
The Atlantic,
11 May 2025
Noun
-
The match concluded a wild road trip that saw Sporting play three road matches in eight days.—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
18 May 2025
-
The Antelope Slot Canyon Tours bus could be seen on one side of the road across from a totaled sedan on the same side of the road.—
Kimberlee Speakman,
People.com,
17 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Drive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drive. Accessed 23 May. 2025.
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