driven 1 of 2

adjective

ˈdri-vən How to pronounce driven (audio)
Definition of drivennext
as in obsessive
caused by or suggestive of an irresistible urge a man with a driven need to be loved or liked by everyone

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

driven

2 of 2

verb

past participle of drive
1
as in 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 tooled
to travel by a motorized vehicle I'm going to drive across the country—want to come?

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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

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4
as in forced
to cause (a person) to give in to pressure the corrupt governor was driven out of office

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in powered
to cause to function machinery driven by waterpower

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in moved
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 raced
to proceed or move quickly the runner drove past the finish line and then came to a dead stop

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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 driven
Adjective
The same review found that late luteal cravings for carbohydrates and comfort food are physiologically driven, not a willpower failure. — Allison Palmer updated June 13, Sacbee.com, 13 June 2026 This curious and driven student hopes to continue to learn about the world around her, with a particular interest in endangered species, the news release stated. — News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 June 2026
Verb
Instead of being driven by shareholders’ demands, VW managed to stay at the top of the global auto rat race while strategy was determined by trade unions and socialist politicians. — Neil Winton, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026 Analysts note that a key detail to keep in mind is that this massive jump in Samsung's operating profit was primarily driven by memory chip price hikes rather than significant shipment volume growth. — CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for driven
Recent Examples of Synonyms for driven
  1. obsessive
  2. run
  3. tooled
  4. pushed
  5. forced
  6. powered
  7. moved
  8. raced
Adjective
  • But the obsessive government emphasis on it was and is a constant, permanent source of embarrassment and failure.
    — Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 26 Aug. 2026
  • On Translation Drew Buxton recommends novels about obsessive athletes by Julie Otskuka, Ashton Politanoff, Quan Barry, and more.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of obsessive
Verb
  • Stone ran for three touchdowns, including an 85-yarder late in the first half.
    — Mike McGraw, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Sebold’s was the third such attack in Thornden Park, which runs alongside the campus, in about seven months.
    — Joaquin Sapien, ProPublica, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of run
Verb
  • Perry was also spotted behind the wheel of an electric vehicle and tooled around town with Trudeau riding in the passenger seat.
    — Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 16 June 2026
  • 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
Definition of tooled
Verb
  • The threat of shortages pushed countries across Asia to impose export bans, cut import duties, and start rationing fuel to maintain supplies.
    — Katie Silver, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The extreme heat pushed up air conditioning electricity demand, while heavy storms simultaneously dealt a blow to power supplies in parts of the country.
    — , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of pushed
Verb
  • As more cars wrecked behind the incident, NASCAR was forced to throw the caution flag — freezing the field with Preece in front.
    — Jeff Gluck, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Sometimes, operators were forced to drain one pond and divert its water to save fish in another, the Hungarian Aquaculture and Fisheries Inter-branch Organization said in early August.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of forced
Verb
  • Eco Effort All Maybourne London hotels are powered by 100% renewable electricity, and a solar power farm in Essex is underway.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 June 2026
  • 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
Definition of powered
Verb
  • Cameron moved up to the division earlier this year and defeated Michaela Kotaskova by unanimous decision in April to claim the vacant WBO title and become a two-weight world champion.
    — Amelie Claydon, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Ragged, jagged or fluffy edges point to a Bristol Type 6 stool, meaning waste moved through the colon too fast for water to be absorbed properly.
    — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of moved
Verb
  • Barrichello competed as an F1 driver for 19 seasons and has also raced as an IndyCar and stock car driver.
    — Catherine Odom, Miami Herald, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Drivers who raced in Sunday's Freedom 250 Grand Prix praised everything from the challenging street course to the one-of-a-kind setting surrounding it.
    — Mike Stunson, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of raced

Browse Nearby Words

drivels
driven
driver
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Cite this Entry

“Driven.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/driven. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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