as in creates
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 determinants
someone or something responsible for a result
the much-debated causes of the war
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in campaigns
a series of activities undertaken to achieve a goal
joined the freedom fighters' cause as a young man
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of causes
Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Nov. 2025
The water pressure then causes the vehicle to rise and slide on a thin layer of water between the tires and the road, making the driver lose control.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 5 Nov. 2025
The key question is whether too much money in the private markets causes the private market premium to ultimately disappear.
—Leslie Picker, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2025
His lower jaw is smaller than his upper one, leaving a small gap that causes a faint odor.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
Fission splits the nuclei of atoms to create power while fusion causes hydrogen nuclei to collide and fuse into helium atoms that release incredible amounts of energy — essentially replicating the power of the sun.
—Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Oct. 2025
Armadillos carry a high risk among game animals, as the species is known to be the only non-human species to carry mycobacterium leprae, the bacteria that causes leprosy, according to the Emerging Pathogens Institute at the University of Florida.
—Stuart Dyos, USA Today, 29 Oct. 2025
This situation causes a struggle for the rest of us.
—Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 29 Oct. 2025
What is hand, foot and mouth disease, and what causes it?
—Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2025
Maria Williams, USA Today, 4 Nov. 2025
What are the root causes of the problem?
—Catherine Nicholls, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2025
These differences were strongest for external causes of death and for younger age groups.
—Hannah Millington, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
Ora is also notably a UNICEF ambassador who has continually advocated for humanitarian causes, drawing from personal experience as a refugee from Kosovo as a child.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 3 Nov. 2025
The fire is thought to have originated from natural causes.
—Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 3 Nov. 2025
That amount of money goes a long way in Washington, and these firms have managed to retain former lawmakers, major political fundraisers, and one-time senior government staffers to plead their respective causes.
—Robert Schmad, The Washington Examiner, 28 Oct. 2025
However, feeling out of breath when walking short distances has many possible causes, some severe.
—Colleen Doherty, Verywell Health, 28 Oct. 2025
Short-term generosity can meet urgent needs, but long-term giving is what allows nonprofits to plan, grow and tackle root causes.
—William Jarvis, Fortune, 28 Oct. 2025
Verb
Although these easy-care plants are relatively flexible about pruning, cutting daylilies back at the wrong time potentially makes your plants bloom less next season and causes other problems, too.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Nov. 2025
The water pressure then causes the vehicle to rise and slide on a thin layer of water between the tires and the road, making the driver lose control.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 5 Nov. 2025
The key question is whether too much money in the private markets causes the private market premium to ultimately disappear.
—Leslie Picker, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2025
His lower jaw is smaller than his upper one, leaving a small gap that causes a faint odor.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
Fission splits the nuclei of atoms to create power while fusion causes hydrogen nuclei to collide and fuse into helium atoms that release incredible amounts of energy — essentially replicating the power of the sun.
—Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Oct. 2025
Armadillos carry a high risk among game animals, as the species is known to be the only non-human species to carry mycobacterium leprae, the bacteria that causes leprosy, according to the Emerging Pathogens Institute at the University of Florida.
—Stuart Dyos, USA Today, 29 Oct. 2025
This situation causes a struggle for the rest of us.
—Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 29 Oct. 2025
What is hand, foot and mouth disease, and what causes it?
—Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2025
Noun
Under the leadership of designer and founder Robin Brown, the company’s nonprofit foundation has supported causes ranging from Indigenous housing and disaster relief to animal welfare and youth arts programs.
—Maria Williams, USA Today, 4 Nov. 2025
What are the root causes of the problem?
—Catherine Nicholls, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2025
These differences were strongest for external causes of death and for younger age groups.
—Hannah Millington, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
Ora is also notably a UNICEF ambassador who has continually advocated for humanitarian causes, drawing from personal experience as a refugee from Kosovo as a child.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 3 Nov. 2025
The fire is thought to have originated from natural causes.
—Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 3 Nov. 2025
That amount of money goes a long way in Washington, and these firms have managed to retain former lawmakers, major political fundraisers, and one-time senior government staffers to plead their respective causes.
—Robert Schmad, The Washington Examiner, 28 Oct. 2025
However, feeling out of breath when walking short distances has many possible causes, some severe.
—Colleen Doherty, Verywell Health, 28 Oct. 2025
Short-term generosity can meet urgent needs, but long-term giving is what allows nonprofits to plan, grow and tackle root causes.
—William Jarvis, Fortune, 28 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for causes
Verb
-
The research team highlighted that this process creates ideal conditions for atmospheric water vapour to condense into droplets on the cooler surface, the way steam condenses on your bathroom mirror.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Frank creates this Charles Atlas golden god specifically to adore and satisfy him.—
Katie Rife,
Vulture,
9 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Moore suggests focusing on the social determinants of health — providing stable housing and a strong education, for instance — in addition to intervention work.—
Cleo Krejci,
jsonline.com,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Many infectious diseases are lethal only for the poor; they are layered atop comorbidities and chronic conditions produced by social and commercial determinants of health.—
Stan Chu Ilo,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
That stark reality forced both sides to wage slash-and-burn propaganda campaigns designed to sow doubt and disinformation among their enemies.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Anti-Trump activists are deploying an array of tactics to fight back against the policies of the President and his Administration — protests, marches, events, advocacy campaigns, social media videos.—
Time,
Time,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Legal sports betting generates a considerable amount of tax revenue.—
Jay Caspian Kang,
New Yorker,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Switching to some business talk for a moment, Lazenby confirmed what other executives were buzzing about — that the center generates approximately $4,000 in sales per square foot, to an extent buoyed by strong high and fine jewelry sales.—
David Moin,
Footwear News,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Human rights organizations have renewed their criticism, airing concerns about the persecution of dissent in a country where more than 800 people are behind bars for political reasons, according to the legal rights organization Foro Penal.—
Stefano Pozzebon,
CNN Money,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Lea is an Elko protégé and could appeal to PSU for many of the same reasons.—
Nelson Espinal,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Yet even among a number of Christians seeking to raise awareness and intensify efforts to put an end to systematic abuses committed by Boko Haram and other jihadi movements, the prospect of foreign intervention raises serious concerns.—
Tom O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The findings reveal unexpected plasma flows and magnetic field movements that may reshape current understanding of how the Sun’s magnetic cycle operates.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The Paris Agreement hits its 10th anniversary and COP30 brings an important deadline for participating countries to update their emissions reduction plans which, so far have fallen short of the Paris targets.—
Jeff Young,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Crisp bits of bacon add a salty crunch, while the green onion brings a fresh, mild bite.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Goldie, like Bucephalus, seized the bit and galloped into the intoxicating world of knowing, of finding out, of discovering reasons and causations.—
Annie Proulx,
New Yorker,
10 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Causes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/causes. Accessed 10 Nov. 2025.
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