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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
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
4
as in forced
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 powered
to cause to function
machinery driven by waterpower
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in moved
to set or keep in motion
this motor drives the gears, which then turn the shaft
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of driven
Meg Pillow
july 31, Literary Hub, 31 July 2025
But as a profoundly driven person all his life, such affirmations aren’t cause for pause but merely more propellant.
—Vahe Gregorian
july 25, Kansas City Star, 25 July 2025
Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 5 Sep. 2025
That lapse is likely driven because of time lags between actual sales and assessments, Kaegi’s office said, an issue that gets worse when market values are increasing faster.
—A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for driven
Adjective
Just like Lana, there was someone clever, driven, working beneath the veneer of the beautiful temptress.
—Meg Pillow
july 31, Literary Hub, 31 July 2025
But as a profoundly driven person all his life, such affirmations aren’t cause for pause but merely more propellant.
—Vahe Gregorian
july 25, Kansas City Star, 25 July 2025
Verb
With no visible connection to the movement, the hands appear to be driven by a mysterious, unknown force rather than, say, a gear train.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 5 Sep. 2025
That lapse is likely driven because of time lags between actual sales and assessments, Kaegi’s office said, an issue that gets worse when market values are increasing faster.
—A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for driven
Recent Examples of Synonyms for driven
Adjective
-
Over the weekend, as online sleuths scoured photos of Trump for evidence of any frailty, the political scientist Ian Bremmer pointed out that obsessive scrutiny of a leader’s health is a hallmark of authoritarian countries.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
2 Sep. 2025
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Just as Manning accelerated his growth through obsessive attention to detail, studying defenses and the sleight of hand of play-action artists like Boomer Esiason, Nix is more than willing to get bleary-eyed in the film room or pick the brain of future Hall of Famer Drew Brees.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
1 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Surround it with pumpkins, fashion it in front of a garland strand, or place it on a velvet table running across the manteltop to tie the whole look together.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Sep. 2025
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This look is perfect for landing in a style-conscious city like Paris or Chicago and hitting the ground running without needing a quick change in the airport bathroom.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Hayes’ arrangements are machine-tooled to immersive perfection.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
20 Aug. 2025
Verb
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McBee, who is facing up to 30 years in prison, was originally given a sentencing date in March before being pushed to June and then September.—
Liza Esquibias,
PEOPLE,
5 Sep. 2025
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Schiffer said Meghan had been too risk averse in the first two seasons, but could try to pitch a slightly different concept for a third season that pushed the boundaries far more.—
Jack Royston,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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But oil export revenues are declining amid sanctions and lower global demand, which means the Kremlin might be forced to consider other spending cuts or further tax rises.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
27 Aug. 2025
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The airport was forced to delay flights and The New York Times reported that planes were stopped from taking off for around an hour.—
Michael Nied,
People.com,
26 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Boise Pride moved the route from the heart of downtown to River Street, between South 13th and 9th streets.—
Sally Krutzig,
Idaho Statesman,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Fire crossed Dinkey Creek and moved north toward Oak Flat.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Having only raced four times in her career, this Brad Cox trainee strutted her stuff on August 28 in an allowance race on opening day at this Franklin, Kentucky track.—
Danny Brewer,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
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The tone was set on the opening play from scrimmage when defensive back John Nestor picked off a pass and raced 29 yards down the Northwestern State sideline for a touchdown that put the Gophers on top 7-0.—
Frank Rajkowski,
Twin Cities,
6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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As a consumer advocate, too many of my readers' cases begin with a cocktail – especially the ones involving an impulsive timeshare purchase.—
Christopher Elliott,
USA Today,
26 Aug. 2025
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Acting swiftly is essential but avoid impulsive decisions.—
Raymond Umerley,
Forbes.com,
25 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Driven.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/driven. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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