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
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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
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
Meg Pillow
july 31, Literary Hub, 31 July 2025
But as a profoundly driven person all his life, such affirmations aren’t cause for pause but merely more propellant.
—Vahe Gregorian
july 25, Kansas City Star, 25 July 2025
Alan Lightman
september 12, Literary Hub, 12 Sep. 2025
At the same time, the glut of ultra-fast fashion, driven by throwaway culture, is overwhelming waste management capacity.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for driven
Adjective
Just like Lana, there was someone clever, driven, working beneath the veneer of the beautiful temptress.
—Meg Pillow
july 31, Literary Hub, 31 July 2025
But as a profoundly driven person all his life, such affirmations aren’t cause for pause but merely more propellant.
—Vahe Gregorian
july 25, Kansas City Star, 25 July 2025
Verb
He was quickly driven to Ellis Hospital in Schenectady, where he was placed in an oxygen tent.
—Alan Lightman
september 12, Literary Hub, 12 Sep. 2025
At the same time, the glut of ultra-fast fashion, driven by throwaway culture, is overwhelming waste management capacity.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for driven
Recent Examples of Synonyms for driven
Adjective
-
Psychologists distinguish between obsessive and harmonious passion.—
Nell Derick Debevoise,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
-
With his jaw clenched and sights set on being the next James Bond, Aaron Taylor-Johnson plays Major Will Tranter, a bomb disposal pro who’s both an ace sniper and a bit of a loose cannon, breaking protocol in his obsessive attempt to deactivate the vintage ordnance with minimal casualties.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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EDTIn a press conference, authorities shared security camera footage of the gunman running across a roof and jumping down from a building before leaving the Utah Valley University campus.—
Zachary Folk,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
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The design leans rustic (give or take a couple of Togo chairs), with moss green paneling, tartan upholstery, and wood beams running throughout.—
Elly Leavitt,
Vogue,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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When the season ended, Payton and general manager George Paton could have re-tooled the personnel on defense or let a couple of key contributors go.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
5 Sep. 2025
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Hayes’ arrangements are machine-tooled to immersive perfection.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
20 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Laura is frantic about saving Daniel after learning Cherry pushed her father from a construction site, fracturing his spine in two places.—
Erin Jensen,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
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If verified, some researchers suggest this respite also could be a glimpse of future hurricane seasons, with the historic early-to-mid-September peak pushed back on the calendar.—
Alex Harris,
Miami Herald,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Though Andre officially ended things with his other flame, Ashley (Jen Jacob), Dani's daughter's abduction has forced her to spend some questionable quality time with her ex-husband Bill (Timon Kyle Durrett), who, it should be noted, shares a last name with Devon Winters' birth mother Yolanda.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Sep. 2025
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On Sunday, Rodgers celebrated when the Steelers forced and recovered a fumble during a fourth-quarter kickoff return.—
Mike Sando,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Boise Pride moved the route from the heart of downtown to River Street, between South 13th and 9th streets.—
Sally Krutzig,
Idaho Statesman,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Fire crossed Dinkey Creek and moved north toward Oak Flat.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Having only raced four times in her career, this Brad Cox trainee strutted her stuff on August 28 in an allowance race on opening day at this Franklin, Kentucky track.—
Danny Brewer,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
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The tone was set on the opening play from scrimmage when defensive back John Nestor picked off a pass and raced 29 yards down the Northwestern State sideline for a touchdown that put the Gophers on top 7-0.—
Frank Rajkowski,
Twin Cities,
6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Reflective self-talk while performing tasks gives you self-regulation and prevents the lightning-fast, reflexive emotional self-talk from making impulsive decisions that lead to errors and mistakes.—
Bryan Robinson,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
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Ari is a rich kid from New York, who is an impulsive motormouth desperate for Sam’s affection.—
Esther Zuckerman,
IndieWire,
7 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Driven.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/driven. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
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