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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in activating
to cause to function
machinery driven by waterpower
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in moving
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 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
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 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
ABC News, 18 Oct. 2025
While driving - Stick to the middle lanes and stay on elevated ground.
—Kansas City Star Weather Bot, Kansas City Star, 18 Oct. 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
This natural variation is one of the most significant driving forces of large-scale weather patterns over the Pacific Ocean, and eventually over North America.
—ABC News, 18 Oct. 2025
While driving - Stick to the middle lanes and stay on elevated ground.
—Kansas City Star Weather Bot, Kansas City Star, 18 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for driving
Recent Examples of Synonyms for driving
Verb
-
Several of the the show's stars paid tribute to the long-running series in the wake of Monday's news.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
21 Oct. 2025
-
The Athmile Wide-Leg Sweatpants, which shoppers love for traveling, running errands, and relaxing at home, have a super-soft fleece lining and pockets big enough for smartphones.—
Sian Babish,
PEOPLE,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Other highlights of the farm include a swimming pool, a barn with horse stables, and a riding ring, as well as fishing ponds, walking trails, and apiaries.—
Demetrius Simms,
Robb Report,
23 Oct. 2025
-
But eliminate a defensive takeaway at the end of Cal’s 28-24 win at Boston College and its 21-18 squeaker over North Carolina last Friday and the Bears could be 3-4, winless in three ACC games and riding a four-game losing streak.—
Jeff Faraudo,
Mercury News,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
And Italy’s Serie A is still pushing for approval to move Milan’s match against Como to Perth, Australia, in February.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Half of his power lies in his ability to explore outside the mold, pushing through reggaetón into dancehall and Latin trap without losing command of the audience.—
Isabela Raygoza,
Billboard,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The Raptors ran relentlessly, even as Atlanta turned the ball over just 16 times, a far cry from what the Raptors were forcing in the preseason.—
Eric Koreen,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
-
However, West Virginia’s defense has a knack for forcing turnovers.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
There's a Shimano shifter to the right and useful illuminated buttons to the left for adjusting PAS, sounding the horn, engaging turn signaling, and activating walk-assist.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
22 Oct. 2025
-
With Venus also in the mix, activating your ninth house of adventure, you’re reminded that life’s biggest lessons come through experience.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Also on Sunday, Sturm scratched second line center Casey Mittelstadt, moving Pavel Zacha to center and re-inserting Khusnutdinov back into the lineup and onto the second line.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
20 Oct. 2025
-
That said, there was energy for the gap scheme to be the default moving forward.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
While public institutions can sometimes be scientific, encyclopedic, even cold in their faithfulness to detail, private institutions often have more freedom to take an aesthetic and dynamic approach, and have proven their legitimacy, Simode adds.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
23 Oct. 2025
-
The texture feels alive—polished yet dynamic—helping the orris read more like modern tailoring rather than powdery nostalgia.—
Justin Fenner,
Robb Report,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In the decades since, Horowitz went on to build VC giant Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), while Raghuram took his own path to VMware, rising to CEO in 2021, and two years later shepherding the cloud infrastructure giant through its $69 billion acquisition by Broadcom.—
Allie Garfinkle,
Fortune,
12 Oct. 2025
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Driving.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/driving. Accessed 26 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share