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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of drives
David Fear, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2025
Mentorship drives both confidence and capability, even becoming a powerful tool to foster accessibility and belonging.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2025
In Barbados, the tuk band, which is a music style, is based on European marching drums, but drives Caribbean dances like the landship.
—Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2025
In this elevated position, Farris drives CMA’s strategic growth by leveraging data, technology, and cross-department collaboration to streamline processes, foster innovation, and enhance organizational growth.
—Thania Garcia, Variety, 22 Oct. 2025
That reveal drives a bigger wedge between Morgan and Clara, who gets together with Miller (Mason Thames), the movie-loving popular boy at school.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 22 Oct. 2025
Its Open Lab initiative, collaborating with the H&M Foundation, further drives the sustainable development in the city.
—Sunny Tan, Sourcing Journal, 22 Oct. 2025
His empathy drives a lot of really great decisions, and a lot of really poor decisions.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2025
This creates a compound effect where recognition generates visibility, which drives bookings, which creates more opportunities for recognition.
—Ascend Agency, Oc Register, 21 Oct. 2025
Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 22 Oct. 2025
In Kenya, retreat to ultra-luxury safari tents overlooking the vast savannah after days spent witnessing the Great Migration and Big Five game drives.
—Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 21 Oct. 2025
The first four drives for Stroud ended in punts, with no more than five plays ran in any of them.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2025
Then came four straight touchdown drives, what looked like a crushing response by the Giants and, finally, a walk-off, 39-yard field goal by Broncos kicker Wil Lutz.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 20 Oct. 2025
But, again, the hard-to-predict Panthers pounced on Fields and Taylor, amassing six sacks on 13 drives.
—Charlotte Observer, 20 Oct. 2025
The company has announced plans to open Under Canvas White Mountains in June 2026, offering travelers a new basecamp for hiking trails, foliage drives, and classic New England apple country.
—Bailey Berg, AFAR Media, 20 Oct. 2025
Investigators also seized computers, USB drives, and other electronic devices from both locations.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 15 Oct. 2025
There once had been a lot of questions about the ability of his predecessor, Brady Cook, to lead late-game drives.
—Kansas City Star, 15 Oct. 2025
Verb
After Fuller drives home to her palatial estate, two strangers in masks emerge from the bushes.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2025
Mentorship drives both confidence and capability, even becoming a powerful tool to foster accessibility and belonging.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2025
In Barbados, the tuk band, which is a music style, is based on European marching drums, but drives Caribbean dances like the landship.
—Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2025
In this elevated position, Farris drives CMA’s strategic growth by leveraging data, technology, and cross-department collaboration to streamline processes, foster innovation, and enhance organizational growth.
—Thania Garcia, Variety, 22 Oct. 2025
That reveal drives a bigger wedge between Morgan and Clara, who gets together with Miller (Mason Thames), the movie-loving popular boy at school.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 22 Oct. 2025
Its Open Lab initiative, collaborating with the H&M Foundation, further drives the sustainable development in the city.
—Sunny Tan, Sourcing Journal, 22 Oct. 2025
His empathy drives a lot of really great decisions, and a lot of really poor decisions.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2025
This creates a compound effect where recognition generates visibility, which drives bookings, which creates more opportunities for recognition.
—Ascend Agency, Oc Register, 21 Oct. 2025
Noun
And there are other ideas to do with ion drives and collecting interstellar gas and using that to propel yourself along—but all that would involve very lengthy trips.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 22 Oct. 2025
In Kenya, retreat to ultra-luxury safari tents overlooking the vast savannah after days spent witnessing the Great Migration and Big Five game drives.
—Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 21 Oct. 2025
The first four drives for Stroud ended in punts, with no more than five plays ran in any of them.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2025
Then came four straight touchdown drives, what looked like a crushing response by the Giants and, finally, a walk-off, 39-yard field goal by Broncos kicker Wil Lutz.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 20 Oct. 2025
But, again, the hard-to-predict Panthers pounced on Fields and Taylor, amassing six sacks on 13 drives.
—Charlotte Observer, 20 Oct. 2025
The company has announced plans to open Under Canvas White Mountains in June 2026, offering travelers a new basecamp for hiking trails, foliage drives, and classic New England apple country.
—Bailey Berg, AFAR Media, 20 Oct. 2025
Investigators also seized computers, USB drives, and other electronic devices from both locations.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 15 Oct. 2025
There once had been a lot of questions about the ability of his predecessor, Brady Cook, to lead late-game drives.
—Kansas City Star, 15 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drives
Verb
-
Birdie runs First-round leader Steven Alker ran off six consecutive birdies on the back nine Friday which jettisoned him up the leaderboard to a tournament-record 61.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
25 Oct. 2025
-
The Bachelor season 19 contestant, Jade Roper Tolbert, who runs her own cosmetics company, was also a judge.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
This pushes Tony and Ziva to risk everything in order to save her and finally put an end to the conspiracy.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
23 Oct. 2025
-
The video also pushes for universal healthcare.—
Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Economic change also compels extra rethinking.—
Jonathan Lansner,
Oc Register,
16 Oct. 2025
-
And for me, that is the fuel that compels this need to create a new era of truth and justice.—
Kurt Streeter,
New York Times,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The fat overload in astrocytes and microglia activates inflammatory pathways.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
26 Oct. 2025
-
In Ibadan, the biennial activates the New Culture Studio designed by Demas Nwoko (1970), exploring urban and architectural dimensions of confinement.—
PhotoVogue,
Vogue,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Fans will just have to be patient to see if anything moves forward.—
Lauren Huff,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 Oct. 2025
-
If his execution moves forward, Jennings will be the 16th inmate executed in Florida this year, double the state's previous record.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
During one depressive episode, Springsteen somberly speeds down the road in his Camaro before violently hitting the brake.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Jonah escapes and speeds off in a bright yellow Jeep with Tali hiding in the back.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
To gain the board’s support, the developers promised a $15 million road through the middle of its development that would also connect two highways and help alleviate traffic congestion in the fast-growing town 30 miles north of Charlotte.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Americans are okay with tens of billions of tax dollars funding highways and airports overseen by powerful regulatory agencies.—
Kaitlyn Tiffany,
The Atlantic,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Zachary, who used his helicopter license for both farm business and to help his father's campaigns, flew Bailey and Del Mar to several campaign stops around the state, ending with an evening event in DuPage.—
Meredith Kile,
PEOPLE,
23 Oct. 2025
-
While the actor continued to steadily work in fashion advertising campaigns and small European films as his reputation tanked in America, more mainstream projects are beginning to materialize.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Drives.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drives. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share