driving force
What propels progress
A driving force is the primary motivation or energy behind something—what makes it happen or keeps it going.
The phrase emphasizes causation and momentum: She was the driving force behind the company's expansion.
A driving force can be a person, an idea, or a circumstance: Curiosity is the driving force of scientific discovery.
Tiny fiery particle
- triggerWhat initiates action
- impetusForce initiating action
- stimulusWhat prompts a reaction
- spurIncentive or heel device
ignition · activator · initiator · instigator · precipitant · springboard · launchpad · kickstart
Forceful forward motion
- propulsionForce driving movement forward
- torqueRotational force measurement
- momentumProduct of mass, velocity
- accelerationRate velocity changes
kinetic energy · horsepower · power · traction · locomotion · inertia · impulse · push
Desire for achievement
- determinationFirmness of purpose
- passionIntense emotional drive
- purposeReason something exists
- willpowerMental strength resisting impulse
resolve · aspiration · commitment · perseverance · zeal · enthusiasm · tenacity · grit
One who guides others
- visionaryImaginative planner of futures
- pioneerEarly explorer or settler
- championTop competitor, or advocate
- architectBuilding design professional
mastermind · trailblazer · mover · shaker · prime mover · instigator · figurehead · spearhead
spark
Tiny fiery particle
spur · ignition · activator · initiator · instigator · precipitant · springboard · launchpad · kickstart · genesis
thrust
Forceful forward motion
- propulsionForce driving movement forward
- torqueRotational force measurement
- momentumProduct of mass, velocity
acceleration · kinetic energy · horsepower · power · traction · locomotion · inertia · impulse · push · pull
ambition
Desire for achievement
- determinationFirmness of purpose
- passionIntense emotional drive
- purposeReason something exists
willpower · resolve · aspiration · commitment · perseverance · zeal · enthusiasm · tenacity · grit · dedication
leader
One who guides others
- visionaryImaginative planner of futures
- pioneerEarly explorer or settler
- championTop competitor, or advocate
architect · mastermind · trailblazer · mover · shaker · prime mover · instigator · figurehead · spearhead · standard-bearer
- forcesgravity, electromagnetism, thrust, drag, friction
- motivatorsmotivator, rewards, ambition, incentive, incentives
- motivesintent, motive, intention, purpose, goal
- Pioneerspioneer, pioneers, forerunner, trailblazer, innovator
- transport phenomenadiffusion, heat transfer, heat conduction, thermal conduction, convection
- spiritghost, specter, phantom, apparition, soul
driving forceobstacle
Something blocking the way
impediment · hindrance · barrier · obstruction · drag
drive, force, driven, driver, forced, driving, enforce, forces, driveway