drive 1 of 2

1
as in to run
to urge, push, or force onward cowboys drove the herd of cattle from San Antonio to San Francisco

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in to motor
to travel by a motorized vehicle I'm going to drive across the country—want to come?

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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drive

2 of 2

noun

1
2
as in campaign
a series of activities undertaken to achieve a goal a fund-raising drive for the school's marching band

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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
It’s built strong enough to drive a car across, Duplechan said, not to mention hold a dance party. David Caraccio, Sacramento Bee, 22 Mar. 2025 The publication of children’s magazine content on science may have driven some of this research. H.m.a. Leow, JSTOR Daily, 22 Mar. 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
  • Similar ads have been run for 9/11 and other times of crises.
    Jamie L. LaReau, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025
  • Listen to this article Former New York Giants and New York Jets kicker Jay Feely is running for a House of Representatives seat in Arizona.
    Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 23 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Those motoring to work in a Rolls-Royce aren’t being left out, either.
    Susan Campos, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Mar. 2025
  • The plot is motored by their deft, defiant mouths.
    Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The upcoming show will explore the story of Black dandyism as a sartorial declaration and a tool for pushing (and examining) social and political change, both historically and in contemporary society.
    Cortne Bonilla, Vogue, 21 Apr. 2025
  • The Justice Department is pushing for several changes, Dahlquist said on Monday during the trial.
    Patrick Maguire, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Five years after the pandemic forced children into remote instruction, two-thirds of U.S. fourth graders still cannot read at grade level.
    K. Dara Hill, The Conversation, 24 Apr. 2025
  • However, Barron's slender frame and short arms may force him to play as a nickel corner in the NFL.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Troopers located the Tesla and allegedly observed the vehicle traveling in the center lane at approximately 30 mph with its four-way hazard lights activated.
    Staff report, Hartford Courant, 18 Apr. 2025
  • The final step requires flat ironing hair in small sections to activate the treatment.
    Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 18 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Golden eagles will forage during migration flights and use this uplift from heated air, which also comes from open landscapes, to move efficiently during migration and seasonal movements.
    Noël Fletcher, Forbes.com, 27 Apr. 2025
  • Martinez moves well enough laterally to make defenders miss and bounce outside.
    Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 27 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Any adult who plans to travel around the country this summer, or any time after the enforcement deadline, must have a REAL ID or another federally compliant identification document in order to avoid delays.
    Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2025
  • The suspect was last seen traveling northbound on North Soto Street in a gray BMW sedan, police said.
    Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The road that leads to the Ambassador Bridge, which connects Detroit to Canada, is notoriously difficult to navigate, even for locals.
    Jasmine Garsd, NPR, 24 Apr. 2025
  • The museum tracing the company’s history is just across the road from the coffee shop where Bastiaan Riemersma is sitting.
    James Pearce, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Drive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drive. Accessed 2 May. 2025.

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