1
2
3
as in pushes
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 compels
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 activates
to cause to function
machinery driven by waterpower
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in moves
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 speeds
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
1
as in highways
a passage cleared for public vehicular travel
raced our motorcycles along the drive
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in campaigns
a series of activities undertaken to achieve a goal
a fund-raising drive for the school's marching band
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of drives
Elazar Sontag, Washington Post, 10 Jan. 2026
Those near misses helped extend Ole Miss drives at times.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
This leaves a sicker risk pool behind and drives premiums even higher for those who remain.
—U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026
The sight of encampments and people in the throes of psychosis in the streets drives perceptions of lawlessness and danger, studies show.
—Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2026
Anyone who drives around the Los Angeles basin understands the inadequacy of the freeway system.
—Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 9 Jan. 2026
Video circulating online shows an ICE officer approaching Good's stopped SUV and attempting to open the driver's side door before the vehicle drives forward.
—Julia Bonavita , Alexis McAdams, FOXNews.com, 9 Jan. 2026
One of the officers can be seen trying to open the driver’s side door before the vehicle drives in reverse a few feet, then begins driving forward.
—Tim Stelloh, NBC news, 8 Jan. 2026
And what about the double-wide Jeep that actually drives?
—Caleb Jacobs, The Drive, 8 Jan. 2026
Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
Jackson Hole, Wyoming Home to Grand Tetons National Park, Jackson Hole is one of the country's most popular family vacation destinations for its staggering natural beauty and varied opportunities for outdoor pursuits like hiking, kayaking, wildlife viewing, and scenic drives.
—Josh Roberts, USA Today, 8 Jan. 2026
Availability of housing for sale drives transactions, prices and time on market metrics more than interest rate improvements.
—Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Jan. 2026
Young has delivered six of those game-winning drives this season, tied with the Chicago Bears’ Caleb Williams for the second-most behind Bo Nix’s seven.
—Joseph Person, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Here’s an overview of the National Western Stock Show’s history in advance of its 120th event in 2026, from its dusty roots to downtown’s surreal cattle drives, holiday-light holdovers, and relocation threats.
—John Wenzel, Denver Post, 7 Jan. 2026
Langston Reynolds scored a game-high 22 points on 9-of-13 shooting that included many drives to the basket.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 7 Jan. 2026
Queens went 6-for-30 (20%) from deep and Winthrop wasn’t much better at 8-for-25 (32%), which meant most of the game was contested the old-fashioned way, via drives and rebounding and tough defense.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 5 Nov. 2025
Some establishments are also hosting food drives or have community pantries available.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 4 Nov. 2025
Verb
When the temperature drops below 32 degrees and a glowing snowflake on the dashboard warns of icy roads, my car practically drives itself to Lighthouse Tofu in Annandale.
—Elazar Sontag, Washington Post, 10 Jan. 2026
Those near misses helped extend Ole Miss drives at times.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
This leaves a sicker risk pool behind and drives premiums even higher for those who remain.
—U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026
The sight of encampments and people in the throes of psychosis in the streets drives perceptions of lawlessness and danger, studies show.
—Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2026
Anyone who drives around the Los Angeles basin understands the inadequacy of the freeway system.
—Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 9 Jan. 2026
Video circulating online shows an ICE officer approaching Good's stopped SUV and attempting to open the driver's side door before the vehicle drives forward.
—Julia Bonavita , Alexis McAdams, FOXNews.com, 9 Jan. 2026
One of the officers can be seen trying to open the driver’s side door before the vehicle drives in reverse a few feet, then begins driving forward.
—Tim Stelloh, NBC news, 8 Jan. 2026
And what about the double-wide Jeep that actually drives?
—Caleb Jacobs, The Drive, 8 Jan. 2026
Noun
Overall, the Canes’ four drives of 13 plays or more were the most ever in an CFP game.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
Jackson Hole, Wyoming Home to Grand Tetons National Park, Jackson Hole is one of the country's most popular family vacation destinations for its staggering natural beauty and varied opportunities for outdoor pursuits like hiking, kayaking, wildlife viewing, and scenic drives.
—Josh Roberts, USA Today, 8 Jan. 2026
Availability of housing for sale drives transactions, prices and time on market metrics more than interest rate improvements.
—Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Jan. 2026
Young has delivered six of those game-winning drives this season, tied with the Chicago Bears’ Caleb Williams for the second-most behind Bo Nix’s seven.
—Joseph Person, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Here’s an overview of the National Western Stock Show’s history in advance of its 120th event in 2026, from its dusty roots to downtown’s surreal cattle drives, holiday-light holdovers, and relocation threats.
—John Wenzel, Denver Post, 7 Jan. 2026
Langston Reynolds scored a game-high 22 points on 9-of-13 shooting that included many drives to the basket.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 7 Jan. 2026
Queens went 6-for-30 (20%) from deep and Winthrop wasn’t much better at 8-for-25 (32%), which meant most of the game was contested the old-fashioned way, via drives and rebounding and tough defense.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 5 Nov. 2025
Some establishments are also hosting food drives or have community pantries available.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 4 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drives
Verb
-
Sammis runs a pro-style scheme that prioritizes a strong run game and being efficient with the passing attack.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 Jan. 2026
-
His victory awarded him a $1,500 NIL deal from Pangos which runs an All-American basketball camp among its basketball enterprises.—
Steve Fryer,
Oc Register,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Kenya licensed 42 new digital lenders, raising the country’s total number to 195, as the central bank pushes to formalize a sector that has become an important part of East Africa’s largest economy.—
Preeti Jha,
semafor.com,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The financial asset label pushes prediction markets toward the exclusive jurisdiction of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), a federal agency, and grants immunity from state gambling laws and taxes on gross betting revenue.—
Dan Bernstein,
Sportico.com,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
One of the most powerful yet underappreciated forces in these dynamics is social identity, the psychological force that compels people to sort themselves into groups and take those group boundaries seriously.—
Justin Angle,
The Conversation,
6 Jan. 2026
-
One scene involves Varang poisoning Quaritch with a mysterious hallucinatory drug that compels him to tell the truth about his motivations.—
Jack Smart,
PEOPLE,
20 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
When the steering wheel is retracted, the vehicle activates a passenger airbag integrated into the instrument panel.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Beginning with a spark early in the year, as a solar eclipse in Aquarius activates your romantic and creative side, don’t be surprised if love feels playful again, as this new beginning encourages flirtation, spontaneity and intellectual expression.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
One slightly wrong rate in a budget, procurement forecast, or loan estimate easily moves millions of dollars in the wrong direction.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The Honda moves forward, turning to the right.—
Devon Lum,
Twin Cities,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
After the shooting, the SUV speeds into two cars parked on a curb before crashing to a stop.—
Rebecca Santana,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Jan. 2026
-
This slows down the release of ethylene gas, which speeds up ripening.—
Nashia Baker,
Martha Stewart,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Here's your daily look at traffic on major highways in the Kansas City area.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Most automakers limit self-driving features in personal vehicles to highways, where traffic patterns are more predictable.—
Nora Eckert,
USA Today,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Singh urged jurors to view the protest within a broader historical context, comparing it to anti-apartheid divestment campaigns targeting South Africa.—
Ryan Macasero,
Mercury News,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Several lawmakers are also seeking higher office this year and will want time to focus on their campaigns.—
Stephen Gruber-Miller,
Des Moines Register,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Drives.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drives. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.
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