as in obsessive
caused by or suggestive of an irresistible urge
a man with a driven need to be loved or liked by everyone
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
3
as in pushed
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 forced
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 powered
to cause to function
machinery driven by waterpower
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in moved
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 raced
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
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of driven
Charlie Fink, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026
Jordan Coleman steps in as Cheyenne Barnes, a bold hairstylist whose confidence masks years of unresolved pain, while Tunde Oyeneyin plays Madison Truitt, a driven entrepreneur navigating success, expectations, and the search for real partnership.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 6 Jan. 2026
CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
My parents’ friends David Gilbert and Kathy Boudin had driven a getaway truck in that robbery.
—Zayd Ayers Dohrn, New Yorker, 28 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for driven
Adjective
The new funding will be used to expand Holywater’s platform capabilities, improve recommendation systems, and scale AI driven IP discovery rather than dramatically increasing headcount or production spend.
—Charlie Fink, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026
Jordan Coleman steps in as Cheyenne Barnes, a bold hairstylist whose confidence masks years of unresolved pain, while Tunde Oyeneyin plays Madison Truitt, a driven entrepreneur navigating success, expectations, and the search for real partnership.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 6 Jan. 2026
Verb
Ohtani hadn't driven in a run all season before hitting a drive to right that tied the game at 3.
—CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
My parents’ friends David Gilbert and Kathy Boudin had driven a getaway truck in that robbery.
—Zayd Ayers Dohrn, New Yorker, 28 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for driven
Recent Examples of Synonyms for driven
Adjective
-
Felder, an architect with an obsessive streak, thought extensively about the design of his banner, ultimately opting for a white sign with lettering the precise shade of blue as the Star of David on the Israeli flag.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
What about a former Directioner superfan to freak out Niall Horan with their obsessive knowledge?—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Kansas City councilman Nathan Willett also filed to run for the seat after Graves’ announcement.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Which is also super hazardous for someone in a massive suit running around [laughs].—
Brayden Garcia,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Re-tooled with new signings, the defensive inadequacies and erratic finishing that had held the club back during his first campaign were eradicated.—
Zak Garner-Purkis,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
But Theobald tooled the Zephyrs’ block, pushing the Tigers over the line with a 25-22 set 4 win.—
Andrew Cornelius,
Twin Cities,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The next hitter, junior Michaela Hamilton — a Northwestern State (LA) pledge — followed with an RBI triple that keyed a three-run inning that pushed the Grapevine Faith lead to 4-0.—
Mike Waters,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 Apr. 2026
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Building the execution unit is the next step after Republicans pushed a law through the Legislature to make firing squad the primary method of execution in Idaho.—
Sally Krutzig,
Idaho Statesman,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Soft, adjustable lighting, outdoor rain showers with peepholes framing the scenery, incredibly comfy poolside daybeds, super-crisp sheets, open-plan bathrooms with capacious closets—everything works, but nothing feels forced or superfluous.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Mar. 2026
-
But Broidy’s suit received tremendous publicity, driving away all of Global Risk’s clients, even the Qataris, and Chalker was forced to lay off its entire staff.—
David D. Kirkpatrick,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Inside, the Ingenieur Automatic 40 is powered by the in-house Caliber 32111, offering a robust 120-hour power reserve—an engineering feat that mirrors the endurance and performance demanded on the track.—
Carol Besler,
Robb Report,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
But the moment that deeply moved his former manager came in the top of the first, as the veteran shortstop readied himself for his first at-bat at Fenway as a visiting player.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
4 Apr. 2026
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His income moved dramatically from year to year, from a high of around $166 million in 2021 to a low of around $8 million the following year.—
Ben Paviour,
Sacbee.com,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Peter Barnum, one of the people on shore who raced to the rescue, described the exhaustion of one of the victims, the father.—
Ted Scouten,
CBS News,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Armed to the teeth With a 5-2 lead, the Red Sox raced through the final frames.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Driven.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/driven. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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