Synonyms of driven

driven 1 of 2

adjective

ˈdri-vən 

as in obsessive

caused by or suggestive of an irresistible urge

a man with a driven need to be loved or liked by everyone

Synonyms & Similar Words

• obsessive
• impulsive
• compulsive
• spontaneous
• automatic
• obsessional
• instinctive
• uncontrollable
• besetting
• mechanical
• reflex
• conditioned
• irrepressible
• unconscious
• unthinking
• unpredictable
• knee-jerk
• involuntary
• unwitting
• whimsical
• capricious

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• voluntary
• willful
• controllable
• manageable
• unforced
• resistible

driven

2 of 2

verb

past participle of drive

1

as in run

to urge, push, or force onward

cowboys drove the herd of cattle from San Antonio to San Francisco

Synonyms & Similar Words

• run
• shepherded
• herded
• punched
• whipped
• spurred
• hounded
• prompted
• prodded
• goaded
• pressed
• exhorted
• pricked
• egged
• wrangled
• flogged
• scourged

2

as in tooled

to travel by a motorized vehicle

I'm going to drive across the country—want to come?

Synonyms & Similar Words

• tooled
• raced
• ridden
• motored
• taxied
• automobiled
• chauffeured
• rolled
• wheeled
• dragged
• hacked
• joyridden

3

as in pushed

to apply force to (someone or something) so that it moves in front of one

drove the plunger into the opening

Synonyms & Similar Words

• pushed
• shoved
• thrust
• propelled
• moved
• squeezed
• forced
• impelled
• compressed
• borne (down)
• compelled
• pressured
• weighed (upon)
• jammed
• depressed
• leaned (on or against)
• squashed
• rammed
• muscled
• bulldozed

4

as in forced

to cause (a person) to give in to pressure

the corrupt governor was driven out of office

Synonyms & Similar Words

• forced
• pressed
• compelled
• made
• impelled
• constrained
• dragged
• coerced
• pressured
• obliged
• dragooned
• impressed
• muscled
• obligated
• blackjacked
• sandbagged
• threatened
• bulldozed
• twisted one's arm
• browbeaten
• bullied
• terrorized
• intimidated
• cowed
• hectored
• menaced
• blackmailed
• hounded
• shamed
• harassed
• badgered
• high-pressured

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• let
• allowed
• permitted
• moved
• induced
• convinced
• argued
• satisfied
• talked (into)
• won (over)
• persuaded
• prevailed (on or upon)

5

as in powered

to cause to function

machinery driven by waterpower

Synonyms & Similar Words

• powered
• fueled
• triggered
• moved
• generated
• actuated
• set off
• started
• activated
• run
• sparked
• turned on
• touched off
• cranked (up)
• pushed
• electrified
• fired
• launched
• charged
• turned over
• energized
• accelerated
• switched
• stimulated
• released
• ignited
• provoked
• discharged
• tripped
• kicked over
• instigated
• incited
• recharged
• aroused
• reactivated
• excited
• quickened
• catalyzed
• stirred up
• vitalized
• stepped up
• jump-started
• kick-started
• sped (up)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• killed
• cut
• stopped
• shut off
• cut out
• turned off
• checked
• stuck
• arrested
• halted
• cut off
• stalled
• drawn up
• jammed
• slowed
• suppressed
• deactivated
• braked
• stunted
• repressed
• decelerated

6

as in moved

to set or keep in motion

this motor drives the gears, which then turn the shaft

Synonyms & Similar Words

• moved
• propelled
• activated
• actuated
• worked
• impelled
• raised
• motivated
• provoked
• triggered
• set off
• stimulated
• stirred (up)
• whipped (up)
• incited
• inspired
• abetted
• fermented
• instigated
• roused
• fomented
• tripped
• fired (up)
• aroused
• excited
• galvanized
• inflamed

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• controlled
• contained
• checked
• regulated
• constrained
• restrained
• inhibited
• curbed
• bridled
• reined (in)

7

as in raced

to proceed or move quickly

the runner drove past the finish line and then came to a dead stop

Synonyms & Similar Words

• raced
• sped
• flown
• trotted
• jumped
• buzzed
• hurried
• rushed
• bolted
• run
• scurried
• rammed
• zipped
• chased
• stepped
• scooted
• traveled
• darted
• blown
• dashed
• scuttled
• blasted
• jogged
• hurled
• motored
• torn
• careened
• hastened
• ripped
• rocketed
• careered
• hustled
• whisked
• coursed
• whirled
• hurtled
• bundled
• zoomed
• blazed
• cracked (on)
• bowled
• barreled
• breezed
• humped
• hared
• bustled
• shot
• belted
• pelted
• nipped
• rustled
• stepped on it
• beaten it
• hied
• jetted
• made tracks
• bombed
• cannonballed
• highballed
• accelerated
• shaken a leg
• got a move on
• flitted
• hotfooted (it)
• scampered
• sprinted
• streaked
• scudded
• stampeded
• overtaken
• galloped
• whizzed
• beetled
• scuffled
• quickened
• outpaced
• stepped out
• outrun
• outstripped
• arrowed
• caught up
• fast-forwarded
• beelined

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• crept
• dragged
• crawled
• poked
• lingered
• lagged
• hung (around or out)
• poked
• strolled
• loitered
• shuffled
• sauntered
• tarried
• ambled
• dallied
• lumbered
• plodded
• slowed (down or up)
• dawdled
• decelerated
• dillydallied

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of driven

Adjective

Even among the driven few, only a fraction of kids use ed-tech tools such as Khanmigo enough to see any gains. — Mike Goldstein, The Atlantic, 25 June 2026

The same review found that late luteal cravings for carbohydrates and comfort food are physiologically driven, not a willpower failure. — Allison Palmer updated June 13, Sacbee.com, 13 June 2026

Verb

Weavabel said demand is being driven in part by brands preparing for evolving European compliance and Digital Product Passport requirements and seeking greater control over labeling across supplier networks. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2026

The authors found a long-run relationship between top incomes and art prices and argued that high-end art prices are driven less by the average person’s buying power than by how much the wealthiest can spend. — Molly A. Wallace, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026