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

Relevance

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
The visible wounds and hunting tools show the injuries caused during a process that can last for hours. — Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026 That’s because acidic foods such as tomatoes and oranges may react with aluminum foil, causing a metallic taste or slight discoloration, but don’t worry. — Bianca Lambert, Southern Living, 23 Aug. 2026
Noun
Suspended Trooper Christopher Regan, caught on camera appearing to pummel a fellow Statie at a Quincy bar, has waived this week’s show-cause hearing and will be arraigned next month on a single assault and battery charge. — Joe Dwinell, Boston Herald, 24 Aug. 2026 Or maybe the cause of your procrastination is more complicated. — Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 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
  • In addition, a law creating new asylum eligibility requirements, including new time limits for applying, went into effect earlier this year.
    — Catherine E. Shoichet, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
  • In Freeport, Allen has built the Bahamas Maritime Museum, where relics are cataloged, conserved, and displayed, creating local jobs and drawing tourists.
    — Brett Berk, Robb Report, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of create
Noun
  • Requiring personnel to document a legitimate law-enforcement reason and associated case number before conducting a license-plate search.
    — Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The intense interest in the case is one reason why her lawyers are pushing for a retrial – the town was so crowded that at one stage jury members shared a hotel with the prosecution team and an informant.
    — Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of reason
Noun
  • The crowd points their phones at the pair, who are alternating between short dances, rhythmic movements, and striking poses.
    — Mitchell McCluskey, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
  • What once seemed like isolated restorations have become part of a broader movement driven by distributors, programmers, archives, and exhibitors committed to expanding what American audiences understand as the Asian cinema canon.
    — José Salazar, IndieWire, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of movement
Verb
  • The service The team are friendly, enthusiastic, and genuinely warm, made even more memorable by their vibrant, patterned uniforms that bring extra character to the experience.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Drew Gilbert brought the Giants within two runs by lining a two-run shot over the short right-field fence, then Devers followed up on the next pitch with a solo homer to center.
    — Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of bring
Noun
  • The ability of companies to attract ambitious, highly skilled individuals is emerging as a key determinant of economic success.
    — Armand Arton, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Age matters, Bonnet said, when considering risk factors like diabetes, hypertension, social determinants of health, and smoking.
    — Elizabeth Cooney, STAT, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of determinant
Noun
  • One was a GoFundMe campaign aimed at assuring that costs associated with the lawsuit don't put Beaver's Mini Mart out of business, as has happened to other establishments Buc-ee's sued.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
  • But there’s plenty of evidence that many Iranian women are not intimidated by official campaigns.
    — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of campaign
Verb
  • More than 120,000 microdramas were released in the first three months of this year — with 95% of those generated by AI, according to Chinese state media.
    — Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Few residential developments in London have generated as much anticipation—or undergone such a vivid transformation—as Chelsea Barracks.
    — Nick Scott, Robb Report, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of generate
Noun
  • Similarweb labels the finding correlation rather than causation, and the study covers United States desktop users across three verticals.
    — Jason Goldberg, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
  • The findings demonstrate correlations rather than direct causation, meaning the trends don't necessarily stem from physiological changes, early microbial exposures or social dynamics.
    — Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of causation

Phrases Containing cause

Browse Nearby Words

causations
cause
cause célèbre
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cause.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cause. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

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