Driven

Strongly motivated and persistently directed toward a result.

Reach for it when praising intense purpose when it remains healthy and considerate

The driven researcher repeated the trial until the safer material proved reliable.

• playful

  go-getting

  when energetic enterprise suits an informal voice

  not when The expression sounds competitive and can cheapen service-oriented effort.

• everyday

  motivated

  when willingness to work is the broad quality

  not when Motivation may be moderate or temporary, unlike driven intensity.

• warm

  determined

  when steadfast refusal to give up deserves praise

  not when Determination need not produce the restless momentum of being driven.

• professional

  ambitious

  when high achievement or advancement is the aim

  not when Ambition can be self-focused and says little about follow-through.

• professional

  purposeful

  when actions clearly serve a meaningful direction

  not when Purposeful people may work at a calm sustainable pace.

• formal

  compelled

  when an inner or outer force feels difficult to resist

  not when Compelled reduces agency and is not automatically positive.

• literary

  relentless

  when pressure or effort truly does not let up

  not when Relentless can praise harmful overwork and ignore needed limits.

• unmotivated
• aimless
• complacent

• highly driven

  The highly driven founder still protected weekends for recovery.

• driven person

  A driven person may need permission to pause as well as encouragement.

• driven by purpose

  The volunteers were driven by purpose rather than publicity.