drive 1 of 2

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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
Police said surveillance footage showed the student walking home as Love followed in her car before picking her up and driving her home. Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2025 If travel is required, do not drive around barricades or through water of unknown depth. Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 27 Oct. 2025
Noun
Hoover helped the offense convert two pivotal third downs on the decisive drive late in the fourth quarter as the Horned Frogs took over six minutes off the clock before McCashland’s field goal. Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Oct. 2025 After a Houston punt, Leavitt engineered a 50-yard drive that led to a Jesus Gomez 47-yard field goal. Doug Haller, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for drive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drive
Verb
  • That cost-cutting measure, which is common in other long-running shows, continued for the drama's 2025-26 season.
    Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Trump made the announcement on Truth Social after the Canadian province of Ontario began running a television advertisement in the United States featuring a speech from former President Ronald Reagan.
    Steve Kopack, NBC news, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The hope is that the talks could clear rising tensions between the world’s two largest economies and allow the global economy to keep motoring.
    Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2025
  • The hope in Southern California is that someday soon, the two will motor the franchise to its first Super Bowl championship.
    Robert Marvi, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Altria The parent company of tobacco brand Marlboro and one of the country’s largest tobacco firms has pushed for less FDA oversight of e-cigarettes.
    Dave Smith, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2025
  • As Lloyd Kelly passes to Andrea Cambiaso, Valverde pushes up from right-back while Jude Bellingham and Tchouameni track Teun Koopmeiners and Khephren Thuram.
    Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Follow what feels fun and freeing, not forced.
    Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
  • In Wisconsin, the legal bar to force someone into mental health treatment is high.
    Hope Karnopp, jsonline.com, 27 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The moon activating Neptune puts you in daydream mode.
    USA TODAY, USA Today, 26 Oct. 2025
  • The fat overload in astrocytes and microglia activates inflammatory pathways.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 26 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The buttery-soft fabric is lightweight and stretchy enough to move with you while still retaining its shape over time.
    Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 26 Oct. 2025
  • On top of that responsibility and stress, he was frustrated with the Blazers’ losing and his role moving forward.
    Jason Quick, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • In an August 2017 interview with the Los Angeles Times, Ellen described her role as a baseball wife as being the family's accountant, traveling secretary and real estate agent.
    Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
  • Apa's character, Archie Andrews, was attacked by a bear after escaping from an underground prison fight club; Reinhart's Betty discovered her father was a serial killer and saved her sister from a cult; and Mendes traveled back in time to invent birth control.
    Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • For the filmmakers working in the region over the past two years, it’s been a long, arduous road to reach audiences, as the war impacted their physical productions and made potential distributors wary of facing political backlash for releasing their films.
    Rebecca Keegan, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Gripen fighters have the reputation of being relatively cheap and easy to maintain and arm, and able to operate in austere conditions – using roads or even dirt roads for runways.
    Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Drive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drive. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.

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