Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com

drive back

VERB
back
Synonyms
STRONGEST
withdraw
STRONG
backtrack recede regress repel repulse retire retract retreat reverse
WEAK
fall back turn tail
Antonyms
STRONG
advance attract forge meet
WEAK
discourage dissuade go forward
VERB
fend off
Synonyms
STRONGEST
avert avoid deflect rebuff rebut reject repel repulse resist spurn ward off
WEAK
beat off hold at bay keep at a distance keep at arm's length keep off parry rebuke refuse snub stave off turn aside
Antonyms
STRONGEST
approve attract want welcome
WEAK
let in
VERB
repel
Synonyms
STRONGEST
chase away confront drive away drive off fend off hold off rebuff resist ward off withstand
STRONG
buck check cool cut decline dismiss disown dispute duel fight kick oppose parry rebut refuse reject traverse
WEAK
beat back beat off brush off cast aside force back force off give cold shoulder to hold back keep at arm's length keep at bay keep off knock down push back put down put to flight stand up against stave off turn down
Antonyms
STRONG
accept agree aid allow approve assist help increase sanction support
WEAK
attract draw
VERB
repulse
Synonyms
STRONGEST
fend off overthrow put down rebuff repel resist ward off
STRONG
check defeat nix rebut reject
WEAK
beat off brush off fight off heave-ho hold off keep off kick in the teeth push back set back stave off throw back
Antonyms
STRONG
aid allow approve help
WEAK
attract enchant please soothe
VERB
retrocede
Synonyms
WEAK
backpedal backtrack fall back recede regress repel repulse retire retrace one's steps retract retreat retrograde retrogress reverse turn tail withdraw

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.

Longstanding policy allows for cars registered in Mexico and Canada to drive back and forth to the U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 28, 2026

MUNICH—When the full-scale Russian invasion began, Western defense manufacturers rushed their modern weaponry into Ukraine, helping Kyiv drive back a much more powerful foe.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 2, 2026

That was plenty of time to kick the field goal, take the points, then lean on the defense to stop mistake-prone Darnold long enough to drive back downfield for the winning field goal.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 26, 2026

Ahead of our return to the city, we drive back up the ridge, back through Burguete, the inn still shuttered, and up to Roncesvalles, where the old monastery looms like a sentinel over the pass.

From Salon • Nov. 8, 2025

He had spent a short time talking to Clovis Bancroft about her brother’s life as a district commissioner in Enugu years ago, and afterward Susan was silent during the drive back in her chauffeur-driven car.

From "Half of a Yellow Sun" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie