All Definitions for Drive
Below are all the dictionary definitions of drive:
1To operate a vehicle:
2To operate (a wheeled motorized vehicle).
3To travel by operating a wheeled motorized vehicle.
4To convey (a person, etc.) in a wheeled motorized vehicle.
5To operate (an aircraft)
6To pilot.
7To direct a vehicle powered by a horse, ox or similar animal.
8To compel to move:
9(especially of animals) To impel or urge onward by force
10To push forward
11To compel to move on.
12(especially animals) To cause to flee out of.
13To cause to move by the application of physical force:
14To provide an impetus for motion or other physical change, to move an object by means of the provision of force thereto.
15To cause (a mechanism) to operate.
16To hit the ball with a drive.
17To separate the lighter (feathers or down) from the heavier, by exposing them to a current of air.
18To displace either physically or non-physically, through the application of force.
19To compel to undergo a non-physical change:
20To provide an impetus for a change in one's situation or state of mind.
21To motivate
22To provide an incentive for.
23To compel, exert pressure, coerce (to do something).
24To cause to become.
25To motivate through the application or demonstration of force
26To impel or urge onward in such a way.
27To urge, press, or bring to a point or state.
28To move forcefully.
29To be moved or propelled forcefully (especially of a ship).
30To carry or to keep in motion
31To conduct
32To prosecute.
33To clear, by forcing away what is contained.
34To dig horizontally
35To cut a horizontal gallery or tunnel.
36To put together a drive (n.): to string together offensive plays and advance the ball down the field.
37To be the dominant party in a sex act.
38Planned, usually long-lasting, effort to achieve something
39Ability coupled with ambition, determination, and motivation.
40Violent or rapid motion
41A rushing onward or away
42(especially) a forced or hurried dispatch of business.
43An act of driving (prompting) animals forward.
44An act of driving game animals forward, to be captured or hunted.
45An act of driving livestock animals forward, to transport a herd.
46A sustained advance in the face of the enemy to take an objective.
47A mechanism used to power or give motion to a vehicle or other machine or machine part.
48A trip made in a vehicle (now generally in a motor vehicle).
49A driveway.
50A type of public roadway.
51The gear into which one usually shifts an automatic transmission when one is driving a car or truck. (Denoted with symbol D on a shifter's labeling.)
52A place suitable or agreeable for driving
53A road prepared for driving.
54Desire or interest.
55An apparatus for reading and writing data to or from a mass storage device such as a disk.
56A mass storage device in which the mechanism for reading and writing data is integrated with the mechanism for storing data.
57A stroke made with a driver.
58A ball struck in a flat trajectory.
59A type of shot played by swinging the bat in a vertical arc, through the line of the ball, and hitting it along the ground, normally between cover and midwicket.
60A straight level shot or pass.
61An offensive possession, generally one consisting of several plays and/ or first downs, often leading to a scoring opportunity.
62A charity event such as a fundraiser, bake sale, or toy drive.
63A campaign aimed at selling more of a certain product or promoting a public service.
64An impression or matrix formed by a punch drift.
65A collection of objects that are driven
66A mass of logs to be floated down a river.
67Friendly term of address for a bus driver.
68To distrain for rent.
About synonyms for drive
Finding the right synonym for drive helps writers avoid repetition and add precision to their work. Defined as "To operate a vehicle:", drive has 8 alternatives that can fit different contexts and tones.
Each synonym carries a slightly different shade of meaning. Thrust is the most direct replacement in most situations. Get works well in formal or professional contexts. Aim is often preferred when the context calls for a more specific or nuanced expression.
When choosing a synonym, consider the connotation, formality level, and audience. Some alternatives work better in casual conversation while others shine in academic or professional writing. For example, using a more formal synonym in a business email can elevate your tone, while a casual synonym might feel more natural in creative writing or dialogue.
It is also worth noting that not all synonyms are perfectly interchangeable. The context of your sentence, the surrounding words, and the intended emotional impact all play a role in selecting the best alternative. The list above provides the most common and useful replacements for drive, but always read your sentence aloud to ensure the chosen word flows naturally.