drive 1 of 2

verb

ˈdrīv How to pronounce drive (audio)
Definition of drivenext
1
as in to run
to urge, push, or force onward cowboys drove the herd of cattle from San Antonio to San Francisco

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2
as in to motor
to travel by a motorized vehicle I'm going to drive across the country—want to come?

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to push
to apply force to (someone or something) so that it moves in front of one drove the plunger into the opening

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4
as in to force
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 to activate
to cause to function machinery driven by waterpower

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6
as in to move
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 to travel
to proceed or move quickly the runner drove past the finish line and then came to a dead stop

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drive

2 of 2

noun

1
as in road
a passage cleared for public vehicular travel raced our motorcycles along the drive

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2
as in campaign
a series of activities undertaken to achieve a goal a fund-raising drive for the school's marching band

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3
as in desire
a strong wish for something a drive to succeed in the television news business

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in energy
active strength of body or mind senior citizens who exercise regularly are more likely to have the drive to keep up with their grandchildren

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5
as in ambition
readiness to engage in daring or difficult activity a great opportunity for a sales representative who is full of drive

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb drive differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of drive are actuate, impel, and move. While all these words mean "to set or keep in motion," drive implies imparting forward and continuous motion and often stresses the effect rather than the impetus.

a ship driven aground by hurricane winds

When might actuate be a better fit than drive?

The words actuate and drive can be used in similar contexts, but actuate stresses transmission of power so as to work or set in motion.

turbines actuated by waterpower

When would impel be a good substitute for drive?

While the synonyms impel and drive are close in meaning, impel is usually figurative and suggests a great motivating impetus.

a candidate impelled by ambition

When could move be used to replace drive?

In some situations, the words move and drive are roughly equivalent. However, move is very general and implies no more than the fact of changing position.

moved the furniture

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 drive
Verb
Formula 1 leads the way F1 has become an exemplar of a truly global sporting venture, driven in large part by off-track storytelling that builds the brands of its leading racers. — Sportico Staff, Sportico.com, 6 Oct. 2026 The popularity of unlicensed apparel, though, is not just driven by convenience and affordability; consumers, especially younger ones, also find the anti-establishment ethos of bootleg merch appealing. — Matt Martell, Vogue, 6 Oct. 2026
Noun
Alfa Romeo’s press release also says that the car will feature all-wheel drive. — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 12 Oct. 2026 An ambulance conveyed him to the hospital in Trelew—a very long drive. — Jordan Salama, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for drive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drive
  1. run
  2. motor
  3. push
  4. force
  5. activate
  6. move
  7. travel
  8. road
Verb
  • On Wednesday, the evening before they were set to dock, the mood seemed far more jovial aboard the ship; sailors were chatting and laughing, some were running a 5K around a deck now free of aircraft.
    — Mosheh Gains, NBC news, 8 Oct. 2026
  • He was hired by Italy’s Agnelli family to run Fiat in 2004 when, due to previous mismanagement and the recession, few in the auto industry believed it could be saved.
    — Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of run
Verb
  • Varma holed out in the outfield in Ahmed’s final over, but Varma motored to his 21-ball half-century by clubbing 15 runs of the fast bowler’s final four balls.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Beyond the shimmying visit, the mystery of who killed Victor is expected to motor the sophomore season’s overarching storyline, including digging into people from the corrupt politician’s shady past.
    — Emily Krauser, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of motor
Verb
  • Mockingbird works to push Vietnamese and Southeast Asian films into markets outside their home territories.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026
  • The Tarrant County Commissioners Court agenda for Tuesday notably does not include the resolution, but Lawrence said the group will keep pushing for the resolution through public comment.
    — Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of push
Verb
  • Without Carmella there as a potential wild card, the ladies arrive in Tokyo and are forced to retreat to their familiar shticks.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Jones forced his religious and political views onto Levy throughout their relationship, according to prosecutors.
    — Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of force
Verb
  • Choose from heat mode or cool mode depending on the season, and then activate night mode for the quietest settings and a dimmer display.
    — Cierra Cowan, PC Magazine, 6 Oct. 2026
  • In order to promote its use, new ShipStation customers who choose to activate Ship with Walmart will be given a 20 percent discount on their annual subscription.
    — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of activate
Verb
  • Rural areas account for nearly 40% of sales of fast-moving consumer goods, according to data from consultancy Nielsen Consumer.
    — Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Tinubu’s then-employers at Mobil Oil told investigators his treasurer role did not involve moving large sums and that the company never authorized him to hold its funds personally.
    — Adrian Elimian, semafor.com, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of move
Verb
  • The story follows Emily, an American woman who travels with Simon, her Chinese Malaysian husband, and their son Louis to spend the summer at his family’s mansion.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Many of the units come with full kitchens and have one or two bedrooms making it ideally for families or those traveling in a group.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of travel
Noun
  • The greatest concern is high tide through Sunday morning and swells from the remnants of Tropical Storm Rachel could create dangerous conditions with beach erosion and seawater once again flooding beach roads and paths.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 Oct. 2026
  • The former Cup champion finished third, overcoming a speeding-on-pit-road penalty and other drama en route to that result.
    — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of road

Browse Nearby Words

drips
drive
drive (away or off)
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Drive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drive. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on drive

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about drive

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