Drive
What it means
Strong inner energy directed toward achieving a demanding goal.
Reach for it when praising motivation that repeatedly produces purposeful action
Her drive turned a monthly food collection into a permanent neighborhood pantry.
Words to choose between 8
| playful | |
|---|---|
| everyday | |
| warm | |
| professional |
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| formal | |
| literary |
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playful
fire
Fits when spirited intensity suits an informal compliment
Careful Fire can suggest temper or short-lived excitement.
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everyday
Fits when advancement or a high achievement is desired
Careful Ambition may center personal status rather than useful effort.
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warm
Fits when refusal to abandon a goal is the virtue
Careful Determination can remain quiet and lacks drive's active momentum.
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warm
Fits when meaningful direction matters more than energy
Careful Purpose can guide a calm life without strong drive.
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professional
Fits when beginning useful action without prompting matters
Careful Initiative starts things but does not guarantee continued effort.
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professional
Fits when the reason or impulse to act is central
Careful Motivation can fluctuate and need not carry drive's sustained energy.
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formal
Fits when a force gets an activity moving
Careful Impetus may come from outside and fade after the start.
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literary
hunger
Fits when powerful desire creates urgency
Careful Hunger can sound ruthless or imply deprivation.
Opposites 3
- apathy
- lethargy
- aimlessness
Common phrases 3
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inner drive
An inner drive to understand failure shaped all of Mei's experiments.
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drive to succeed
His drive to succeed never stopped him from sharing credit.
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energy and drive
The new coordinator brought energy and drive to the stalled project.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Association Shtooka, Judith Franck, London accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0 US Updated