驱使 is a transitive verb meaning 'to drive' or 'to compel'—often implying strong internal motivation, external pressure, or an irresistible force pushing someone to act. The character 驱 (qū) means 'to drive away' or 'to urge forward', as in driving animals or vehicles; 使 (shǐ) means 'to cause' or 'to make someone do something'. Together, they convey the idea of exerting force—physical, psychological, or moral—to prompt action. It's commonly used with abstract subjects like emotions (e.g., guilt, ambition), social pressures, or duty.

This word carries a slightly formal or literary tone and often suggests that the action taken isn’t entirely voluntary—it’s spurred by something powerful and sometimes burdensome. You’ll find it in writing about human behavior, psychology, ethics, or historical analysis—not in casual chat. It rarely describes gentle encouragement; instead, it implies urgency, inevitability, or even compulsion.