driving force

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

driving force
    n 1: the act of applying force to propel something; "after
         reaching the desired velocity the drive is cut off" [syn:
         {drive}, {thrust}, {driving force}]

from Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0

27 Moby Thesaurus words for "driving force":
      bunt, butt, clout, compulsion, drive, impellent, impelling force,
      impetus, impulse, impulsion, incentive, incitement,
      irresistible force, moment, momentum, motive power, power,
      propelling, propelment, propulsion, pulsion, push, pushing, shove,
      shoving, shunt, thrust

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