The antonyms for the phrase "drove out" vary depending on the context of the phrase. In a positive or non-forceful context, some antonyms include welcome in, invite, or encourage. For instance, instead of driving someone out of a group, one could welcome them in or invite them to join. In a forceful or negative context, some antonyms could include keep in, retain, or embrace. For example, instead of driving out negative thoughts, one could embrace positive ones or retain a positive mindset. Antonyms are important as they provide the opposite meaning of a word or phrase, allowing for more accurate and diverse communication.