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
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
Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 22 May 2025
There were 40 structural fires caused by lithium-ion batteries in New York City in the first three months of 2025, compared to 26 during the same time frame last year — a 53 percent spike, according to FDNY statistics.
—Roni Jacobson, New York Daily News, 22 May 2025
Melody Petersen, Los Angeles Times, 21 May 2025
The cause of Coulam’s death is under investigation.
—Abigail Adams, People.com, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for cause
Verb
Ye West, formerly known as Kanye West, made a rare public plea for forgiveness this week, addressing the hurt caused by his past antisemitic remarks.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 22 May 2025
There were 40 structural fires caused by lithium-ion batteries in New York City in the first three months of 2025, compared to 26 during the same time frame last year — a 53 percent spike, according to FDNY statistics.
—Roni Jacobson, New York Daily News, 22 May 2025
Noun
The investigation by state and local fire investigators into the official cause of the deadly fire is continuing.
—Melody Petersen, Los Angeles Times, 21 May 2025
The cause of Coulam’s death is under investigation.
—Abigail Adams, People.com, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for cause
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cause
Verb
-
Defense created easy offense and in the halfcourt, the ball skipped around.—
Fiifi Frimpong,
New York Daily News,
28 May 2025
-
Ronaldo’s post on social media on Monday, when Al Nassr played the final match of their season, then created more conversation.—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
New York Times,
28 May 2025
Noun
-
There’s no reason for the United States to be in debt.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
26 May 2025
-
There’s a reason the studio’s nickname is the Magic Kingdom.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
26 May 2025
Noun
-
But the Bananas are just one example in a broader movement.—
John Cairney,
Sportico.com,
24 May 2025
-
The agreement, which covers various forms of cooperation between the two parties, including the free movement of goods and scientific collaboration, has been in place for 25 years.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
24 May 2025
Verb
-
That’s when Trump called for an aide to bring to him a stack of articles about violent attacks on white farmers and dim the lights to bring the room’s attention to a large flat screen TV set up along a wall of the Oval Office.—
Brian Bennett,
Time,
22 May 2025
-
Preliminary purchasing managers’ index data will be released for France and the U.K. CNBC will also be bringing you interviews from the Barclays leadership conference, focusing on energy, geopolitics and sector-specific challenges.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
22 May 2025
Noun
-
Social determinants of health (SDoH)—everything from housing stability to education and food access—play a huge role in shaping health outcomes.—
Raghvendra Tripathi,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2025
-
Additionally, the social determinants of health – such as a patient’s environment, race, education and wealth – are also very important to their health and longevity.—
Michelle Riba,
The Conversation,
24 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Milton and his wife had donated $1.8 million to Trump’s campaign, and hired a lawyer who happened to be the brother of Trump’s Attorney General, Pam Bondi.—
Evan Osnos,
New Yorker,
26 May 2025
-
In January of last year, DeSantis’ wheezing presidential campaign reported a payment of $2,300 for rent.—
Ana Ceballos,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 May 2025
Verb
-
In the fifth, the Dodgers generated their best chance against Senga … only for the right-hander to induce a two-out grounder from Smith that ended the threat.—
Jack Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
26 May 2025
-
That research also generated more than $94.5 billion in new economic activity nationwide, according to United for Medical Research, a coalition of research groups and advocates.—
Katheryn Houghton,
NPR,
26 May 2025
Noun
-
The cardiologist also pointed out that the observational study shows correlation, not causation, and that further research is needed.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
9 May 2025
-
Of course, there needs to be far more research to prove this is a case of causation rather than mere correlation, but that research is plausible.—
Stefanie Waldek,
Space.com,
6 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cause.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cause. Accessed 30 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share