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
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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
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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
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
Sarah Dean, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2025
Benton repeated those driving forces in front of the Fort Worth City Council recently when she was recognized for her contributions to the city.
—Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Sep. 2025
James Nalton, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2023
The layoffs are part of drive to cut $5.5 billion in costs across Disney, Iger said.
—Julian Mark, Washington Post, 9 Feb. 2023
See All Example Sentences for drive
Verb
The spike in malnutrition is being driven – in part – by the mass displacement due to conflict, the WFP said.
—Sarah Dean, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2025
Benton repeated those driving forces in front of the Fort Worth City Council recently when she was recognized for her contributions to the city.
—Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Sep. 2025
Noun
One of drive, skill, and physicality, and the two midfielders both possess the engine to return to their defensive positions quickly when needed.
—James Nalton, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2023
The layoffs are part of drive to cut $5.5 billion in costs across Disney, Iger said.
—Julian Mark, Washington Post, 9 Feb. 2023
See All Example Sentences for drive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drive
Verb
-
The 11-billion-euro ($13 billion) Lyon-Turin High-Speed Rail Tunnel extends more than 65 kilometers (40 miles) with 57½ kilometers (nearly 36 miles) of the Mont Cenis base tunnel running underground from Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, France and Susa, Italy.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
19 Sep. 2025
-
Buttigieg could run for president in 2028 as the party vets a variety of candidates to lead them in a couple of years.—
Ross O'Keefe,
The Washington Examiner,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Williams broke up a pass going one on one with talented Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith, and Norman-Lott motored his way to a one-arm sack of Jalen Hurts.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
14 Sep. 2025
-
There’s one that does so particularly well, though trades some spaciousness for motoring fun.—
Peter Nelson,
Forbes.com,
25 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Everton recovered well from a poor start and pushed hard for an equaliser in the closing stages, but ultimately a 2-1 Liverpool win underlined the gulf in resources between the two clubs in 2025.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
21 Sep. 2025
-
Some allies are pushing for more action.—
Morgan Winsor,
ABC News,
20 Sep. 2025
Verb
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There is little action that could be forced upon these platforms with today’s Section 230 protections for third-party content, but there is growing Republican support for reforming, or even repealing, the law.—
Rachyl Jones,
semafor.com,
23 Sep. 2025
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Staley was selected Mountain West Defensive Player of the Week on Monday after a performance that included breaking up a fourth-down pass in the end zone on Cal’s opening drive, forcing a fumble that was turned into a touchdown, getting an interception and making seven tackles.—
Kirk Kenney,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
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On a typical two-lane road, drivers going in both directions are required to stop when a school bus activates its red flashing lights and extends the stop arm.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
21 Sep. 2025
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Bet on either of these games to activate your offer from BetMGM Sportsbook.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Sacramento State, which was denied in a bid to move up to FBS over the summer, came back from an early deficit to beat Mercyhurst, with Damian Henderson II running for 98 yards and three touchdowns on 12 carries.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Sep. 2025
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Trump has a long history of moving from one tactic to another, like an ape branching between trees.—
Erik Sherman,
Forbes.com,
20 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Cutting an image that contrasted with Ali’s more libertine act, Frazier traveled with his family, including his teenage son, Marvis, an aspiring boxer himself.—
Vann R. Newkirk II,
The Atlantic,
16 Sep. 2025
-
The center of the storm is likely to travel outside the cone up to 33% of the time.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The project aims to remove more than 1 million heavy goods vehicles from roads in the western Alps between France and Italy.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
19 Sep. 2025
-
Most of them are going to come down to track position, pit strategy, executing on pit road.—
Lydia Mee,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Drive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drive. Accessed 23 Sep. 2025.
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