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Synonyms

driving

American  
[drahy-ving] / ˈdraɪ vɪŋ /

adjective

  1. demanding a high or unreasonable rate of work from subordinates.

  2. vigorously active; energetic.

    a driving young executive.

  3. having force and violence.

    a driving storm.

  4. relaying or transmitting power.

  5. used while operating a vehicle.

    driving gloves.
driving British  
/ ˈdraɪvɪŋ /

adjective

  1. having or moving with force and violence

    driving rain

  2. forceful or energetic

  3. relating to the controlling of a motor vehicle in motion

    driving test
"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • drivingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of driving

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English; drive + -ing 2

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

U.S. crude fits that need, driving up demand for WTI-linked barrels.

From Barron's • Apr. 2, 2026

High electricity costs have been driving U.S. smelters out of business for decades.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 2, 2026

Former England captain Steph Houghton said: "It doesn't look great, does it? Chelsea had just scored, Thompson was driving with the ball. It is really, really cynical and it doesn't look great."

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

Pro tip: If you’re driving, leave yourself some snacks that won’t melt and some waters in the car so you have some sustenance if you do get stuck.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

“Good. Meadowlark and I were able to get some sleep earlier today, so I have at least a couple of hours’ driving in me.”

From "The Wrong Way Home" by Kate O’Shaughnessy

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.