Synonyms of cause

cause 1 of 2

verb

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

• create
• bring
• generate
• prompt
• produce
• do
• work
• induce
• spawn
• yield
• effect
• make
• invoke
• effectuate
• result (in)
• bring about
• catalyze
• draw on
• translate (into)
• encourage
• found
• promote
• give rise to
• introduce
• breed
• beget
• engender
• occasion
• bring forth
• bring on
• contribute (to)
• initiate
• determine
• inaugurate
• establish
• launch
• begin
• pioneer
• develop
• start
• decide
• foster
• institute
• render
• cultivate
• further
• conduce (to)
• set up
• forward
• enact
• advance
• set
• turn out
• father
• nurture
• innovate
• nourish

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• limit
• impede
• restrict
• suppress
• stifle
• quell
• subdue
• quash
• control
• dampen
• crush
• inhibit
• check
• restrain
• smother
• curb
• repress
• put down
• retard
• arrest
• kill
• can
• destroy
• rein (in)
• squelch
• crack down (on)
• squash
• still
• abolish
• clamp down (on)
• extinguish
• liquidate
• quench
• demolish
• snuff (out)

cause

2 of 2

noun

ˈkȯz 

1

as in reason

someone or something responsible for a result

the much-debated causes of the war

Synonyms & Similar Words

• reason
• determinant
• causation
• source
• causality
• antecedent
• occasion
• consideration
• factor
• origin
• impetus
• incentive
• mother
• stimulus
• root
• instigation
• inspiration
• spring
• be-all and end-all
• alpha and omega

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• effect
• result
• issue
• development
• consequence
• product
• outcome
• fruit
• sequence
• fate
• resultant
• aftermath
• outgrowth
• corollary
• sequel
• upshot
• end
• conclusion
• aftereffect
• ramification
• repercussion
• side effect
• denouement
• by-product

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

• movement
• campaign
• push
• crusade
• drive
• project
• initiative
• attack
• march
• juggernaut
• blitz
• bandwagon
• bid
• assault
• mission
• maneuver
• offensive
• action
• undertaking
• enterprise

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of cause

Verb

The erosion caused by high tides and surf Saturday was in addition to earlier damage reported last week around several beachfront properties that were destroyed in the January 2025 Palisades Fire , Malibu officials said. — City News Service, Daily News, 2 Aug. 2026

Talk to Your Neighbor Tree roots are amazingly robust and capable of squeezing into tiny cracks and openings, potentially causing damage. — Samantha Johnson, Martha Stewart, 2 Aug. 2026

Noun

The causes and manners of death are pending the results of forensic autopsies that were scheduled for Sunday, per the news release from the coroners’ offices. — Aurora Beacon-News, Chicago Tribune, 3 Aug. 2026

The violence in Nigeria has become a cause célèbre for the American right. — Alexis Okeowo, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026

Phrases Containing cause

• cause celebre
• cause célèbre
• make common cause