drive 1 of 2

verb

ˈdrīv How to pronounce drive (audio)
Definition of drivenext
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

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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

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

drive

2 of 2

noun

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

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 latest in Houston Salgado Araujo, 52, was driving to work with three other construction crew members when unmarked vehicles carrying federal agents began following his van, his family said. — Julianna Bragg, CNN Money, 15 July 2026 When Fumi takes a job at Rin’s clinic planning to expose its darker side, their standoff drives the series, with the story more interested in what pushes people toward transformation than in the surgeries themselves. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 15 July 2026
Noun
Aaron Chown / Pool/AFP via Getty Images Burnham then made the short drive back to Downing Street, where he was set to make a landmark speech laying out his vision for the country. — Alexander Smith, NBC news, 20 July 2026 Oil drives higher Meanwhile, oil prices are higher in early trade on Monday after American military casualties triggered a fresh wave of attacks on Iran. — Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 20 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for drive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drive
  1. run
  2. motor
  3. push
  4. force
  5. activate
  6. move
  7. travel
  8. road
Verb
  • The agency has also sent staff to Anson County to help run the elections office while the county searches for new leadership.
    — Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 25 July 2026
  • Kraus joined Sundance Square in 2021 to run the security division and has since expanded into strategic operations.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 July 2026
Definition of run
Verb
  • Yoshida began the top of the 10th as the automatic runner on second, but immediately motored to third on a first-pitch sacrifice bunt by Wong and scored the go-ahead run on a sacrifice fly by Seigler.
    — Gabrielle Starr, Hartford Courant, 12 July 2026
  • Eventually, Flores and Álvarez motored to the rendezvous point, where there was no sign of the Fiorella, or of the other skiff.
    — Will Freeman, New Yorker, 30 June 2026
Definition of motor
Verb
  • Paredes didn’t listen, electing instead to push Eric Garcia in the throat.
    — Tim Spiers, New York Times, 20 July 2026
  • Argentina pushed for an equalizer late but couldn’t find the net.
    — Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 19 July 2026
Definition of push
Verb
  • Flair then turned her attention to Cargill and hit a big boot, forcing the disqualification.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026
  • Funding challenges have forced the closure of re-entry homes like the one at Charlotte’s McLeod Center and the shuttering of re-entry organizations like Redirection-NC as well as local reentry councils across the state.
    — Amber Gaudet July 18, Charlotte Observer, 18 July 2026
Definition of force
Verb
  • Running beta code comes at the consumer’s own risk; diving into the settings to activate features not specifically enabled by Apple will increase that risk.
    — Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
  • Air defenses were activated in the Iranian capital, Tehran, and explosions were reported in several Iranian cities, according to state media.
    — Arpita Dasika, CNN Money, 22 July 2026
Definition of activate
Verb
  • Russia has used ports such as Astrakhan and Olya to move military cargo between Iran and Russia, according to analysts.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 25 July 2026
  • The annual judging is done by examining the photos of the works, given that the medium, blackboards, can’t be moved easily.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 July 2026
Definition of move
Verb
  • Stories about Chin traveled through Kerrville as quickly as the floodwaters.
    — Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
  • Hugo Ekitike, Giovanni Leoni and Conor Bradley, who are still recovering from long-term injuries, are set to travel and continue their rehab in the States.
    — James Pearce, New York Times, 20 July 2026
Definition of travel
Noun
  • What’s different this time is getting to the Diner, as both Santa Monica Blvd (which the Diner faces) and Sunset Blvd are seeing extended road work – some of it due to a water main that burst on July 16.
    — Brooke Crothers, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
  • Two Boston city councilors are pushing for a change in city law that would require Mayor Michelle Wu to report street projects annually as Wu faces criticism for stalling road work before a city employee was killed by a truck.
    — Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 22 July 2026
Definition of road

Browse Nearby Words

drips
drive
drive (away or off)
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Drive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drive. Accessed 25 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on drive

Nglish: Translation of drive for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about drive

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