cause 1 of 2

verb

Definition of causenext
as in to create
to be the cause of (a situation, action, or state of mind) the ice storm caused a massive power outage

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

cause

2 of 2

noun

ˈkȯz How to pronounce cause (audio)
1
as in reason
someone or something responsible for a result the much-debated causes of the war

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in movement
a series of activities undertaken to achieve a goal joined the freedom fighters' cause as a young man

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of cause
Verb
Dotson’s death was caused by a gunshot wound of the head, according to the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office. — Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Sep. 2026 Bowyer acknowledged that Turning Point Action’s growing infrastructure in early primary states could cause some agitation on the right if it is seen as throwing its weight behind one candidate. — Hannah Fingerhut, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Noun
The Red Sox announced Morgan’s death Sunday morning, but did not disclose a cause of death. — Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026 Adding to the turmoil is the fact that there’s no parliamentary majority that would support budget cuts and trim the deficit, which is near 5% of GDP—well above the European Union’s sub-3% target and a cause of additional bond market angst. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cause
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cause
  1. create
  2. reason
  3. movement
  4. bring
  5. determinant
  6. campaign
  7. generate
  8. causation
Verb
  • And, in recent years, a new culinary wave has emerged, as chefs create bold fusion dishes or, more subtly, adapt Japanese recipes to uniquely Brazilian produce, from Amazon river fish to jambu, a tongue-tingling herb.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Cardiac arrhythmia ablation, according to the British Heart Foundation, is when heat or cold energy is used to create tiny scars in the heart to block faulty signals and restore a typical heartbeat.
    — Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of create
Noun
  • After wrapping up its longest monthly losing streak on Wall Street in more than a decade, Google has started September by giving investors several reasons for optimism.
    — MacKenzie Sigalos,Drew Troast, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Another company might have seen the same 20% decline for entirely different reasons.
    — James Fratzke, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of reason
Noun
  • There’s been little movement on the key Democratic demand, an ethics component governing the president and his family, according to two Democratic aides.
    — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 8 Sep. 2026
  • That headroom is not vast, which is why any January incomings likely require offsetting by movement outwards.
    — Chris Waugh, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of movement
Verb
  • Together, the workforce brings more than 250 combined years of Minuteman III experience at each base, according to the Air Force.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Venice Film Festival has also given us plenty of major beauty moments—and Mary Beth Barone really brought it for her first turn on the lido.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of bring
Noun
  • In their perspective published Saturday in the New England Journal of Medicine, a veterinarian and an oncologist quickly point out the social determinants of health at play in this scenario.
    — Elizabeth Cooney, STAT, 31 Aug. 2026
  • One of us is a social epidemiologist who studies the social and structural determinants of health, and the other is a prevention scientist who studies risk and protective factors among young people.
    — Jonathan Wright, The Conversation, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of determinant
Noun
  • The team put in one of their most insipid performances of the campaign that day — a first real sign the wheels may be coming off for Daniel Farke.
    — Beren Cross, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Chuck Hatfield, the attorney for the referendum campaign, said Hanaway’s move was no surprise.
    — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of campaign
Verb
  • The interplay between players and their coaches often generates some of the most dramatic viewing moments of a tennis match.
    — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Fading fall savings Virtuoso is seeing a 59% increase in fall 2026 bookings over last year, with the amount of money generated off fall bookings up 69%.
    — Marnie Hunter, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of generate
Noun
  • Further research is needed to pinpoint that causation, study coauthors said.
    — Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Although there are many studies that examine the potential pros and cons of school uniforms, many of them revealed correlation, rather than causation.
    — Amy Morin, Parents, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of causation

Phrases Containing cause

Browse Nearby Words

causations
cause
cause célèbre
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Cite this Entry

“Cause.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cause. Accessed 9 Sep. 2026.

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