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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

Vocabulary lists containing driving

Unit 2, Week 3

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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.

AI data centers, manufacturing, and grid hardening against severe weather are driving investments, with half for transmission system upgrades.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

"These colleges put technical skills front and centre, opening up high quality jobs in the industries driving Britain's future," he said.

From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026

Tuesday’s decision was expected by eight out of 10 analysts in a Wall Street Journal poll as war disrupts critical supply routes, driving up prices of oil and other commodities.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

Semiconductor stocks have shown impressive strength in recent months, with broad participation across the sector driving a steady rally.

From Barron's • Apr. 13, 2026

We’ve now been driving for an hour and a half, and Dad shows no signs of stopping.

From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller

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.