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
Sharon Wu, USA Today, 14 May 2026
Criminalizing hemp and marijuana drives the black market and helps the cartels, not the people.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 May 2026
During a wintry white-out, Kris drives to her home to hopefully entreat Billy to star in the remake Kris is developing, which is meant to wipe the slate clean of the many bad sequels and reboots.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 13 May 2026
When the seaweed drives visitors away, losses ripple through hotels, restaurants and bars, experts say.
—Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 13 May 2026
The plates are still moving, and that movement drives geological processes such as earthquakes and the formation of volcanoes.
—Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 13 May 2026
Tom Sturridge, though, sweeps in to devour the screen as fictional oligarch Dmitri Sidorov, a flashy sort who drives a wedge between Baranov and his romantic interest Ksenia (Alicia Vikander).
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 13 May 2026
Key Takeaways Magnesium drives energy production and use by supporting nerve and muscle function.
—Kristen Gasnick, Verywell Health, 13 May 2026
Abhi has extensive experience in both Procurement and Technology and drives value for clients with S2P digitalization and efficiency engagements.
—Catherine Nekavand, Footwear News, 7 May 2026
Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 May 2026
Borrowing costs for everyday Americans are climbing as a global bond sell-off drives up the price the United States pays to borrow money, reflecting investor fears about surging inflation and the nation’s growing debt burden.
—Andrew Ackerman, Washington Post, 20 May 2026
Chief among these is the new Google Gemini functionality, which had just been added at the time of my test drives.
—James Morris, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
The increasing use of AI models and tools worldwide has touched off hundreds of billions dollars’ worth of investments in AI data centers that house Seagate’s hard disk drives.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 19 May 2026
Scouts spend hundreds of days on the road each year—long drives, cheap hotels, fast food.
—Dan Greene, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
Health workers and police officers assigned to protect them are frequently targeted by militants who falsely claim the vaccination drives are part of a Western conspiracy to sterilize children.
—ABC News, 18 May 2026
The Real Wild West The Bob demands a more immersive approach than Glacier and many other national parks, where scenic drives and roadside viewpoints draw the majority of visitors.
—Taryn Shorr-McKee, Travel + Leisure, 17 May 2026
Visitors can explore the park via three scenic drives, 75 miles of hiking trails, and a 19-mile bike loop.
—Alexiah Syrai Olsen, Sacbee.com, 13 May 2026
Verb
In confident markets, industrial demand drives silver’s price, Anya-Gafu says.
—Sharon Wu, USA Today, 14 May 2026
Criminalizing hemp and marijuana drives the black market and helps the cartels, not the people.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 May 2026
During a wintry white-out, Kris drives to her home to hopefully entreat Billy to star in the remake Kris is developing, which is meant to wipe the slate clean of the many bad sequels and reboots.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 13 May 2026
When the seaweed drives visitors away, losses ripple through hotels, restaurants and bars, experts say.
—Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 13 May 2026
The plates are still moving, and that movement drives geological processes such as earthquakes and the formation of volcanoes.
—Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 13 May 2026
Tom Sturridge, though, sweeps in to devour the screen as fictional oligarch Dmitri Sidorov, a flashy sort who drives a wedge between Baranov and his romantic interest Ksenia (Alicia Vikander).
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 13 May 2026
Key Takeaways Magnesium drives energy production and use by supporting nerve and muscle function.
—Kristen Gasnick, Verywell Health, 13 May 2026
Abhi has extensive experience in both Procurement and Technology and drives value for clients with S2P digitalization and efficiency engagements.
—Catherine Nekavand, Footwear News, 7 May 2026
Noun
While working on his stroke under the afternoon sun in an empty ballpark, wearing shorts, a basketball jersey and a backwards baseball cap, the right-hander was able to watch several of his high drives land beyond the center-field wall.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 May 2026
Borrowing costs for everyday Americans are climbing as a global bond sell-off drives up the price the United States pays to borrow money, reflecting investor fears about surging inflation and the nation’s growing debt burden.
—Andrew Ackerman, Washington Post, 20 May 2026
Chief among these is the new Google Gemini functionality, which had just been added at the time of my test drives.
—James Morris, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
The increasing use of AI models and tools worldwide has touched off hundreds of billions dollars’ worth of investments in AI data centers that house Seagate’s hard disk drives.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 19 May 2026
Scouts spend hundreds of days on the road each year—long drives, cheap hotels, fast food.
—Dan Greene, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
Health workers and police officers assigned to protect them are frequently targeted by militants who falsely claim the vaccination drives are part of a Western conspiracy to sterilize children.
—ABC News, 18 May 2026
The Real Wild West The Bob demands a more immersive approach than Glacier and many other national parks, where scenic drives and roadside viewpoints draw the majority of visitors.
—Taryn Shorr-McKee, Travel + Leisure, 17 May 2026
Visitors can explore the park via three scenic drives, 75 miles of hiking trails, and a 19-mile bike loop.
—Alexiah Syrai Olsen, Sacbee.com, 13 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drives
Verb
-
Jon Hilsenrath, who runs the economic advisory firm Serpa Pinto and covered the Federal Reserve for 26 years at The Wall Street Journal, has puzzled over the same issue, and reads the silence as a form of triage.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
14 May 2026
-
The Grand Canyon Railway runs daily between the town of Williams, Arizona, and the South Rim of the canyon inside Grand Canyon National Park.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Produced by Kunal Kemmu and Chirag Nihalani through their Drongo Films banner, Vibe centers on two inseparable friends whose ordinary, unassuming lives spiral into an unpredictable, high-energy adventure that pushes their survival instincts and friendship to the limit.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
19 May 2026
-
The problem is that urgency pushes people toward fast decisions — and wildfire smoke is exactly when bad air purifier choices become expensive.—
Ryan Brennan
May 19,
Miami Herald,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
The legal agreement also compels TCH to fire multiple physicians who performed these procedures, revoke their privileges, and never hire or credential such doctors.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
15 May 2026
-
The subpoena compels the NFL to produce extensive records dating back to 2020 (and earlier for some items) covering the Rooney Rule, the Offensive Assistant Mandate, Resolution JC-2A, the Accelerator Program and the Mackie Development Program.—
Armando Salguero OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
Support for National and International Brazilian Film Festivals Through strategic sponsorships, Embratur funds and activates film festivals in Brazil and abroad, using cinema as a bridge between audiovisual storytelling and tourism.—
Anna Marie de la Fuente,
Variety,
18 May 2026
-
Oatmeal, especially when soaked or fermented before cooking, activates natural enzymes that help break down difficult-to-digest compounds.—
Lana Barhum,
Verywell Health,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
Mercury enters Gemini and moves through your 3rd House of Communication, waking up conversations, messages, and the small decisions that shape your day.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
17 May 2026
-
Once the midweek cold front moves through, a better chance for more areas to see wet weather comes Wednesday afternoon.—
Rachael Jay,
CBS News,
17 May 2026
Verb
-
Constant heavy use also speeds up wear and heat buildup.—
Louise Parks,
Martha Stewart,
16 May 2026
-
While that driver slows down, the black car speeds up.—
Julia Avant,
CBS News,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
In November 2016, Santa Clara County voters approved Measure B, a 30-year, half-cent countywide sales tax to enhance transit, highways, expressways, and active transportation (bicycles, pedestrians, and complete streets).—
Phan Khang,
Mercury News,
18 May 2026
-
From scenic highways and spontaneous detours to roadside inns and vintage diners, road trips offer a certain kind of freedom and ambiance that a flight can simply never replicate.—
Jessica Chapel,
Condé Nast Traveler,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
For decades, brand growth was fueled by buying attention through mass media, celebrity endorsements and large-scale campaigns designed to capture audiences.—
Felicity Fellows,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
-
Gerber joined Re/Done earlier this year as investor, creative partner and advisory board member, working closely with the brand across campaigns, storytelling, product, and broader creative direction.—
Angela Velasquez,
Footwear News,
22 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Drives.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drives. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
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