drive 1 of 2

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

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
Aesha radios Nathan as much, and Nathan bars him from driving the Jet Ski. Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 23 June 2026 Solow drove a Rolls-Royce around town and married Mia Fonssagrives, a sculptor whose mother, Lisa, was a Vogue cover model. Reeves Wiedeman, Curbed, 22 June 2026
Noun
The rest of the lodge guests are either asleep or out on game drives. Sarah Kingdom, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026 The clincher for Clark was one of his worst drives of the day on the par-5 16th. Doug Ferguson, Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for drive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drive
Verb
  • The couple's Jeep Compass was still running and the fan was on high, however, the air conditioning wasn't working, according to authorities.
    Kathleen Perricone, Entertainment Weekly, 24 June 2026
  • Rodrigo Carmona, who runs the juice and snack spot with his wife and son, simply kept it.
    Daniel Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2026
Verb
  • In the fifth, Harper lined a ball into the gap in left-center field and motored around to third base for a two-run triple.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2026
  • In the fifth, Harper lined a ball into the gap in left-center field and motored around to third base for a two-run triple.
    ABC News, ABC News, 20 June 2026
Verb
  • The contrast between bright snowfields and deep shadows has always pushed displays to their limits, but on the G6, viewers can finally see the deep, rich blacks that the filmmakers originally intended.
    Nam Sunwoo, Variety, 19 June 2026
  • This happens when water in front of the tire builds up faster than the vehicle's weight can push water out of the way.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 19 June 2026
Verb
  • In 1976, the Bicentennial followed the traumas of the Vietnam War and the Watergate scandal that had forced President Richard Nixon's resignation.
    Susan Page, USA Today, 22 June 2026
  • An uncontained blaze in Utah’s Juab County has scorched 34 square miles, forcing the evacuation of Eureka and nearby ranches as firefighters race to shield homes amid fierce winds.
    Valerie Gonzalez, Los Angeles Times, 22 June 2026
Verb
  • Beliefs bump against reality as the emotional Moon activates your 9th House of Learning, quincunx combative Mars in your 4th House of Home.
    Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 23 June 2026
  • The previous phases decompress, mobilize and activate individual areas; this one integrates all of those aspects into coordinated, whole-body functional movement.
    Dana Santas, CNN Money, 22 June 2026
Verb
  • The pair moved to the parking lot, where several others became involved.
    Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 19 June 2026
  • The Eastern Pacific remains a key corridor for narcotics trafficking, with criminal organizations frequently using small vessels to move drugs toward North America.
    Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 19 June 2026
Verb
  • Schwarber’s first home run traveled 456 feet, while his second blast of the third inning measured 457 feet off Mets reliever Cionel Pérez.
    Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 21 June 2026
  • Belief traveled sideways, not down.
    Julie Averill, Forbes.com, 20 June 2026
Noun
  • There was another car on the opposite side of the road with major front-end damage.
    Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 24 June 2026
  • From California politics to safety concerns on Sacramento roads, here’s a quick digest of some of the top stories for June 23, 2026.
    Ruyuan Li. Summary produced by AI assistance, Sacbee.com, 24 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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