1,400 new words in our dictionary! — Parasocial, glow-up, promposal & more
1,400 new words in our dictionary! — More

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
That resolution follows a recent incident in which a leak after heavy rains caused a portion of the ceiling plaster to detach. — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 14 Sep. 2026 That sort of whipped, inswinging ball from Slater that caused so much havoc is hugely familiar to avid Premier League watchers. — Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 14 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
  • This year’s Emmy Awards opening was sponsored by Marriott Hotels, for some reason.
    — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Many believe that the reason the good opportunities have seemingly disappeared is because the market is too crowded.
    — Justin Donald, Forbes.com, 15 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
  • The Toronto International Film Festival is in full swing as Hollywood brings its awards-ready finest as well as populist fare to the Great White North.
    — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2026
  • Mercury opposes imaginative Neptune, bringing plenty of creative energy but less agreement about the details.
    — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 12 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
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cause.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cause. Accessed 17 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of watershed

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
funny guinea pig in glasses reading a book
Challenging Words You Should Know Vol 2 Words to the wise
See All