driven

adjective

driv·​en ˈdri-vən How to pronounce driven (audio)
1
a
: having a compulsive or urgent quality
a driven sense of obligation
b
: determined to succeed : highly energetic and motivated
… a versatile yacht captained by a driven skipper who has won everything in the sport …Herb McCormick
Kinsey redoubled his efforts. If he had been driven before, now there was a manic quality to his work.David Halberstam
2
: propelled or motivated by something
used in combination
results-driven
a character-driven drama
drivenness noun
He was born two months premature and she has never stopped asking herself whether it was her drivenness, her refusal to rest, that caused it. Michele Magwood

Examples of driven in a Sentence

They are driven, successful people. a man with a driven need to be loved or liked by everyone
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The essence of this Water sign is innately intuitive, fluid and emotionally driven, rather than relying solely on facts and hard data. Valerie Mesa, People.com, 7 Apr. 2025 These traits sound appealing — what hiring manager wouldn’t want a driven employee? Jonathan Gay, The Conversation, 21 Mar. 2025 These traits sound appealing—what hiring manager wouldn’t want a driven employee? Ars Technica, 21 Mar. 2025 In addition to embracing a clinically driven, pharmacist-centric approach to pharmacy care, PBM companies can adopt more transparent operating models that prioritize patient health while helping benefits plan sponsors substantially reduce drug spending. Danny Sanchez, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for driven

Word History

Etymology

see drive entry 1

First Known Use

1797, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of driven was in 1797

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Driven.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/driven. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on driven

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!