1
as in running
to urge, push, or force onward
cowboys drove the herd of cattle from San Antonio to San Francisco
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
3
as in pushing
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 forcing
to cause (a person) to give in to pressure
the corrupt governor was driven out of office
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in activating
to cause to function
machinery driven by waterpower
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in moving
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 travelling
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
as in dynamic
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of driving
Drew Dorian, Car and Driver, 17 Mar. 2023
This non-driving person is entirely befuddled by such matters.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 21 June 2022
Dan Sheldon, New York Times, 21 Sep. 2025
Charles Leclerc of Monaco driving the (16) Scuderia Ferrari SF-25 on track during final practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Azerbaijan at Baku City Circuit on September 20, 2025 in Baku, Azerbaijan.
—Alex Harrington, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for driving
Verb
View Photos Some dual-motor all-wheel-drive electrics—such as early versions of the Tesla Model Y—offer more driving range than their two-wheel-drive analogs due to careful calibration to only use a single motor during the EPA's test cycles.
—Drew Dorian, Car and Driver, 17 Mar. 2023
This non-driving person is entirely befuddled by such matters.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 21 June 2022
Adjective
Arsenal have been so used to Saka coming inside onto his left foot, so to have a player who is equally capable of driving down the outside and running along the byline is a new threat.
—Dan Sheldon, New York Times, 21 Sep. 2025
Charles Leclerc of Monaco driving the (16) Scuderia Ferrari SF-25 on track during final practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Azerbaijan at Baku City Circuit on September 20, 2025 in Baku, Azerbaijan.
—Alex Harrington, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for driving
Recent Examples of Synonyms for driving
Verb
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She was appointed solicitor general in 2023 by Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, who is running for governor.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
7 Oct. 2025
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Nick Chubb, Sony Michel and D’Andre Swift in the 2017 backfield, and 2018 with Swift and Elijah Holyfield both running for 1,000 yards.—
Seth Emerson,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Hardy’s social media feed is dotted with clips of him riding the trio, usually down a nondescript dirt road somewhere in mid-Missouri.—
David Ubben,
New York Times,
9 Oct. 2025
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The guest's death comes just under one month after a man died while riding the Stardust Racers roller coaster at Universal Epic Universe, Universal's new theme park that opened in May.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But Lindholm’s sparkling NHL re-entry puts him in line for an Olympic call, pushing Ekholm out of the mix.—
Fluto Shinzawa,
New York Times,
8 Oct. 2025
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Meanwhile, China is pushing space forward on several fronts, such as lunar sample return missions with Chang'e 5 and Chang'e 6, and the Tianwen 1 orbiter, lander and rover mission at Mars.—
Elizabeth Howell,
Space.com,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
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An enormous hole opens up in the ceiling of Linda’s apartment, flooding the place and forcing her and her daughter to relocate to a motel.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
9 Oct. 2025
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In late August, hackers hit luxury carmaker Jaguar Land Rover’s operations, forcing its factories in the United Kingdom to shut down for weeks.—
John Liu,
CNN Money,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Maduro has categorically denied the allegations and has signed a decree activating a state of emergency in the event of foreign aggression.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
9 Oct. 2025
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Outsourcing the job to non-state actors allows aggressors to avoid activating the terms that trigger action in security alliances, making the reputational damage of inaction by the security guarantor much lower.—
Omar Al-Ubaydli,
semafor.com,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Hurts then hit Jahan Dotson for 24 yards, moving the Eagles to the Denver 29-yard line with nine seconds left.—
Nick Kosmider,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
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In a positive sign, Nunoo was moving his hands and fingers, according to Sutton.—
Walter Villa,
Miami Herald,
5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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CEOs and global leaders will gather for a dynamic, invitation-only event shaping the future of business.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
10 Oct. 2025
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The panelists will share insights on how to harness hallmark moments for brand recognition, as well as how to combine brands with new sectors through innovative thinking and engage influencers in dynamic, culturally relevant ways.—
William Earl,
Variety,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Officials in Wisconsin credited teachers for locking doors and shepherding children into classroom corners when a gunman opened fire at Abundant Life Christian School in 2024, killing three people and injured six.—
Tonya Simpson,
ABC News,
24 Sep. 2025
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Richards was especially impressive against West Ham, keeping Crysencio Summerville at bay, shepherding him into less dangerous areas and providing cover for goalkeeper Dean Henderson.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
21 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Driving.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/driving. Accessed 11 Oct. 2025.
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