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
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Recent Examples of drives
Su-Jit Lin, Southern Living, 15 Jan. 2026
Higher demand for MBSs drives bond prices up.
—Jeff Lazerson, Oc Register, 15 Jan. 2026
Their ambition for recognition drives them to unforeseen consequences.
—Marta Balaga, Variety, 15 Jan. 2026
The study went on to also find decarbonization plans in New England, especially policies forcing the electrification of the transportation and home heating sectors, would significantly increase the peak demand of the New England electric grid, which in turn, drives up costs.
—Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 14 Jan. 2026
AdaptAI, launched in mid-2025, provides customers with personalized payment options, which the company said drives greater engagement.
—Itzel Franco, CNBC, 14 Jan. 2026
In reality, climate change amplifies both extremes, making wet seasons wetter and hot seasons hotter, and drives more intense, frequent, and unpredictable weather events.
—Chaewon Chung
updated January 14, Sacbee.com, 14 Jan. 2026
Leaders who establish sustainable systems — covering time, health, finances, and values — create stability that drives professional results while preserving space for personal priorities and long-term well-being.
—Karen Hinds, Hartford Courant, 13 Jan. 2026
The shortage puts pressure on buyers to snap up homes quickly, which drives up prices.
—Francesca Pica, jsonline.com, 13 Jan. 2026
Jason Green, Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2026
Hauser’s fourth 3-pointer of the night, four Derrick White free throws and a pair of strong Brown drives helped Boston remain in command until the midway point of the third quarter.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 22 Jan. 2026
At the same time, illicit South Korean dramas, pop music and films continue to circulate on USB drives and memory cards, offering younger North Koreans a competing vision of modern life.
—Will Ripley, CNN Money, 21 Jan. 2026
Other services the church offers are a summer camp for kids, back-to-school programs, a diaper program, a community garden with gardening classes, weekly Zumba, 12-step programs like AA and NA, and food banks and toy drives during the holiday season.
—Daily News, 21 Jan. 2026
When paired with high-performance drives such as the Samsung 990 Pro, testing shows read speeds reaching 7,061MB/s and write speeds up to 6,816MB/s, marking a significant leap beyond traditional 40Gbps Thunderbolt enclosures.
—Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Bridges has been inconsistent at best offensively — hesitant at the rim, invisible at worst — and too light defensively, caught on screens and beaten by shoulder-first drives into his chest, sometimes even just a quick first step.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 20 Jan. 2026
Inside, there’s a plush bed, a cushioned chair, and an open wardrobe stocked with robes—essential for cooling down during the oppressive afternoon heat between game drives.
—Nicholas Derenzo, Travel + Leisure, 13 Jan. 2026
Six of his 12 game-winning drives came this season.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 13 Jan. 2026
Verb
The exhilaration of constant research and development is part of what drives this culinary team.
—Su-Jit Lin, Southern Living, 15 Jan. 2026
Higher demand for MBSs drives bond prices up.
—Jeff Lazerson, Oc Register, 15 Jan. 2026
Their ambition for recognition drives them to unforeseen consequences.
—Marta Balaga, Variety, 15 Jan. 2026
The study went on to also find decarbonization plans in New England, especially policies forcing the electrification of the transportation and home heating sectors, would significantly increase the peak demand of the New England electric grid, which in turn, drives up costs.
—Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 14 Jan. 2026
AdaptAI, launched in mid-2025, provides customers with personalized payment options, which the company said drives greater engagement.
—Itzel Franco, CNBC, 14 Jan. 2026
In reality, climate change amplifies both extremes, making wet seasons wetter and hot seasons hotter, and drives more intense, frequent, and unpredictable weather events.
—Chaewon Chung
updated January 14, Sacbee.com, 14 Jan. 2026
Leaders who establish sustainable systems — covering time, health, finances, and values — create stability that drives professional results while preserving space for personal priorities and long-term well-being.
—Karen Hinds, Hartford Courant, 13 Jan. 2026
The shortage puts pressure on buyers to snap up homes quickly, which drives up prices.
—Francesca Pica, jsonline.com, 13 Jan. 2026
Noun
About three seconds after the person has fallen to the ground, a second police vehicle enters the frame at high speed and drives over the person, a split second after they can be seen moving on the ground.
—Jason Green, Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2026
Hauser’s fourth 3-pointer of the night, four Derrick White free throws and a pair of strong Brown drives helped Boston remain in command until the midway point of the third quarter.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 22 Jan. 2026
At the same time, illicit South Korean dramas, pop music and films continue to circulate on USB drives and memory cards, offering younger North Koreans a competing vision of modern life.
—Will Ripley, CNN Money, 21 Jan. 2026
Other services the church offers are a summer camp for kids, back-to-school programs, a diaper program, a community garden with gardening classes, weekly Zumba, 12-step programs like AA and NA, and food banks and toy drives during the holiday season.
—Daily News, 21 Jan. 2026
When paired with high-performance drives such as the Samsung 990 Pro, testing shows read speeds reaching 7,061MB/s and write speeds up to 6,816MB/s, marking a significant leap beyond traditional 40Gbps Thunderbolt enclosures.
—Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Bridges has been inconsistent at best offensively — hesitant at the rim, invisible at worst — and too light defensively, caught on screens and beaten by shoulder-first drives into his chest, sometimes even just a quick first step.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 20 Jan. 2026
Inside, there’s a plush bed, a cushioned chair, and an open wardrobe stocked with robes—essential for cooling down during the oppressive afternoon heat between game drives.
—Nicholas Derenzo, Travel + Leisure, 13 Jan. 2026
Six of his 12 game-winning drives came this season.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 13 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drives
Verb
-
The third round of official future wagering on the May 2 Derby runs today through Sunday.—
Kevin Modesti,
Oc Register,
16 Jan. 2026
-
Reviewers find this style runs big and suggest sizing down for a more snug fit.—
Rylee Johnston,
PEOPLE,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Derived from the Soviet-era Tu-16, these aircraft remain the backbone of China’s operational bomber force as Beijing pushes to strengthen its maritime strike and surveillance capabilities.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Jan. 2026
-
The beekeeper then pushes the start button, causing the central spinner to start rotating, and the honey is extracted in 20 seconds.—
Shirl Leigh
January 20,
New Atlas,
20 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
-
That's when New York City Emergency Management activates extra protections for people most at risk, especially anyone without heat or shelter.—
Elijah Westbrook,
CBS News,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Moving while reading, listening, or writing activates a unique mode of learning (a similar distinction can be found in handwriting versus typing).—
Bonnie Tsui,
The Atlantic,
20 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 22 Jan. 2026.
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