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
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 causes
Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 19 June 2026
Its heavy nature also causes oils to build up in pores, causing acne and breakouts, which other established moisturizing ingredients, like ceramides, petrolatum, squalene, glycerin and shea butter, are less likely to do.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 18 June 2026
Because this research was conducted on mice over a relatively short 16-week period, further clinical trials are necessary to determine whether a completely sugar-free diet causes the same gut and liver inflammation in humans.
—Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 18 June 2026
Damian has a genetic condition called neurofibromatosis Type 1, which causes tumors to grow on nerve tissue in his body, including one in his head that, if not checked regularly by a doctor and monitored by his family, could interfere with his brain.
—Claudia Boyd-Barrett, CBS News, 18 June 2026
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.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 18 June 2026
The May 2026 review in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology found no convincing causal evidence that weight cycling itself permanently slows metabolism or causes long-term harm in people with obesity.
—Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 11 June 2026
All of this could be exacerbated this year with a strong El Niño, a cyclic warming of the equatorial Pacific, which causes higher temperatures and drier weather in the rainforest, conditions that worsen wildfires.
—ABC News, 11 June 2026
The mechanism by which political interference causes science leadership to migrate is not theoretical.
—Kelly Fleming, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
Seamus Bozeman
follow, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2026
Brendon's death was ruled to be of natural causes by the Putnam County Coroner's office in May.
—Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 17 June 2026
The proceeds will go to philanthropic causes that were important to Irsay.
—Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 17 June 2026
In the most recent national test, Michigan ranked 44th, and poor school attendance is considered by experts to be one of the primary causes.
—CBS News, 17 June 2026
Through their Community Transformational Organizing Strategy (CTOS), AIWA facilitates spaces where limited-English-speaking immigrant women analyze their workplace conditions to identify root causes of systemic problems.
—Literary Hub, 17 June 2026
Many causes like viruses have no cure, so prevention and plant removal are your best defense.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 17 June 2026
The Youth Town Hall featured a panel discussion with community leaders and experts, six breakout sessions and a resource fair to connect attendees with local causes, clubs and organizations.
—Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 17 June 2026
While some causes are relatively minor, others may indicate larger drainage or venting issues that can worsen over time if left untreated.
—Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 10 June 2026
Verb
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, 19 June 2026
Its heavy nature also causes oils to build up in pores, causing acne and breakouts, which other established moisturizing ingredients, like ceramides, petrolatum, squalene, glycerin and shea butter, are less likely to do.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 18 June 2026
Because this research was conducted on mice over a relatively short 16-week period, further clinical trials are necessary to determine whether a completely sugar-free diet causes the same gut and liver inflammation in humans.
—Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 18 June 2026
Damian has a genetic condition called neurofibromatosis Type 1, which causes tumors to grow on nerve tissue in his body, including one in his head that, if not checked regularly by a doctor and monitored by his family, could interfere with his brain.
—Claudia Boyd-Barrett, CBS News, 18 June 2026
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.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 18 June 2026
The May 2026 review in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology found no convincing causal evidence that weight cycling itself permanently slows metabolism or causes long-term harm in people with obesity.
—Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 11 June 2026
All of this could be exacerbated this year with a strong El Niño, a cyclic warming of the equatorial Pacific, which causes higher temperatures and drier weather in the rainforest, conditions that worsen wildfires.
—ABC News, 11 June 2026
The mechanism by which political interference causes science leadership to migrate is not theoretical.
—Kelly Fleming, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
Noun
In an effort to conceal the causes of death, Sit impersonated the owners and had the dogs cremated, according to prosecutors.
—Seamus Bozeman
follow, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2026
Brendon's death was ruled to be of natural causes by the Putnam County Coroner's office in May.
—Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 17 June 2026
The proceeds will go to philanthropic causes that were important to Irsay.
—Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 17 June 2026
In the most recent national test, Michigan ranked 44th, and poor school attendance is considered by experts to be one of the primary causes.
—CBS News, 17 June 2026
Through their Community Transformational Organizing Strategy (CTOS), AIWA facilitates spaces where limited-English-speaking immigrant women analyze their workplace conditions to identify root causes of systemic problems.
—Literary Hub, 17 June 2026
Many causes like viruses have no cure, so prevention and plant removal are your best defense.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 17 June 2026
The Youth Town Hall featured a panel discussion with community leaders and experts, six breakout sessions and a resource fair to connect attendees with local causes, clubs and organizations.
—Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 17 June 2026
While some causes are relatively minor, others may indicate larger drainage or venting issues that can worsen over time if left untreated.
—Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 10 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for causes
Verb
-
That matters because every unnecessary trade creates a chance to buy high, sell low, and pay costs along the way.—
Teresa Ghilarducci,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
-
Offshore wind offers a path that keeps more energy dollars here at home, creates American jobs, and builds a cleaner, more affordable future for Connecticut families.—
Julianna Larue,
Hartford Courant,
14 June 2026
Noun
-
In my own research on Ebola, SARS and MERS, my colleagues and I have shown that the speed at which infected people are identified and removed from the community is one of the strongest determinants of outbreak size.—
John Drake,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
-
Some count ratings or awards as determinants of quality, while count changes to policy and laws or special commissions of inquiry.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
Over more than 1,000 conversations with a collection of donors, the AI model Claude was nearly three times as effective at eliciting donations for Save the Children as a group of professional fundraisers who had worked on campaigns for the humanitarian group.—
Miriam Waldvogel,
Washington Post,
19 June 2026
-
Visitors can experience high-tech and hands-on exhibits spanning the campaigns, key moments of Obama’s presidency and life at the White House.—
Jamie Stengle,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
Verb
-
In phase one, an agent analyzes requests and generates recommendations, but humans decide every case.—
Jakob Freund,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
-
Slow attention generates deeper engagement.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
18 June 2026
Noun
-
There are a lot of reasons why The Osthoff Resort & Spa is an ideal spot for a waterfront family vacation.—
Beth Luberecki,
USA Today,
16 June 2026
-
Høiby was not present in court on Monday because of health reasons.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 June 2026
Noun
-
Geevarghese, the Our Revolution executive director, said local elections are often where political movements are first built, and that Mamdani has provided a blueprint for progressive candidates.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
16 June 2026
-
The hand gesture has been used by members of white supremacist movements since 2017 and originates from a series of conspiracy theories from the message board 4chan.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
Woodard brings Anna to life with a smokey voice, a statuesque presence and an arch demeanor.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
-
The imposing white hotel buildings are all above the road - accessed by vehicle via a ramp, which brings you to a carpark and the front entrance.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
19 June 2026
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 20 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
