Synonyms for drive
- verb
- noun
Synonyms by meaning
Verb
1. Push — to compel to undergo a non-physical change, To motivate; to provide an incentive for
push, run, spur, propel, urge, impel, actuate, motivate, induce, set in motion, influence, hurry, fire, press, incite, provoke, stir, quicken, incentivize UK US, incentivise UK, instigate, goad, move dated
2. Compel — to compel to undergo a non-physical change, To compel, exert pressure, coerce (to do something)
require, oblige, necessitate, compel dated
4. Coerce — to compel to undergo a non-physical change, To motivate through the application or demonstration of force; to…
Noun
1. Get-up-and-go — planned, usually long-lasting, effort to achieve something; ability coupled with ambition, determination, and…
get-up-and-go informal, ambition, motivation, verve, grit
4. Motor — certain mechanisms in vehicles. A mechanism used to power or give motion to a vehicle or other machine or…
Definitions
- v. 1
To compel to undergo a non-physical change: To motivate; to provide an incentive for.
What drives a person to run a marathon?
- v. 2
To compel to undergo a non-physical change: To compel, exert pressure, coerce (to do something).
Their debts finally drove them to sell the business.
- n. 1
Planned, usually long-lasting, effort to achieve something; ability coupled with ambition, determination, and motivation.
Crassus had wealth and wit, but Pompey had drive and Caesar as much again.
- n. 2
Certain mechanisms in vehicles. A mechanism used to power or give motion to a vehicle or other machine or machine part.
Some old model trains have clockwork drives.
Related words
- Word family
- drive-in driven driver drive-through driving drift
- Phrases
- drive out drive away hard disk drive hard drive drive off drive someone crazy drive back drive at
Choose the right word
To drive is to move an object with some force or violence before or away from oneself; it is the direct reverse of draw, lead, etc. One may be driven to a thing or from it; hence, drive is a synonym equally for compel or for repel or repulse.
J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)
Example sentences
- push He tried with all his might to push the door open.
- spur More money for education will spur economic growth.
- propel Algeria needs to propel its economy forward.
- ride Can you give me a ride to the office on Wednesday?
By length
- 3 letters
- get1, run1, fly1, ram1
- 4 letters
- make1, take1, mind1, fire2, move1, road1, send1, trip1, push1, ride1, gear1, rush1, spin1, urge1
- 5 letters
- cause1, press1, force1, motor2, chase1, hurry2, drift1, verve1, impel2
- 6 letters
- street1, effort2, engine2, desire3, avenue3, pursue2, thrust1, induce2, compel2, propel2, incite2, oblige2, coerce2
- 7 letters
- require3, operate3, crusade2, provoke2, parkway2, quicken2, actuate3
- 8 letters
- continue3, campaign2, movement2, threaten2, ambition3, motivate3, driveway2, bulldoze2
- 9 letters
- influence3, boulevard3, instigate3
- 10 letters
- motivation4
- 11 letters
- necessitate4, incentivize, incentivise
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (fire2 = 2 syllables).