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
Glen Weldon, NPR, 14 May 2026
And a lot of rain all at once causes problems for overwhelmed soil.
—Doyle Rice, USA Today, 13 May 2026
This causes dopamine overload, tolerance, and eventually depletion.
—Literary Hub, 13 May 2026
What causes high humidity in a house?
—Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 13 May 2026
Warming your feet causes blood vessels to dilate, which pulls heat away from your core.
—Allison Palmer, Kansas City Star, 13 May 2026
Today’s medicines have turned the virus that causes AIDS from a fast killer into a manageable chronic disease, often keeping the virus at undetectable levels, but only if people can afford the drugs and stick with them.
—ABC News, 12 May 2026
Improper watering causes slow growth, misshapen fruits, yellow or drooping foliage, and other issues.
—Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 12 May 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, 7 May 2026
Frank Racioppi, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
Pullinsi's death from natural causes was announced Wednesday.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 20 May 2026
For decades, most American Jews understood ourselves as allies—and often champions—of progressive causes well beyond our own communal interests.
—Michael W. Sonnenfeldt, The Atlantic, 20 May 2026
After wildfires hit Georgia in April 2026 fueled by a rain deficit, high winds and low humidity, — among other causes, per NASA — neighboring states got slammed with poor air quality alerts.
—Ryan Brennan
may 19, Kansas City Star, 19 May 2026
Thailand has long struggled with a high rate of deadly transportation accidents, with factors such as speeding, impaired driving and inconsistent traffic law enforcement frequently cited as contributing causes, according to the AFP.
—Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 19 May 2026
Researchers are still debating the reading recession’s causes.
—ABC News, 13 May 2026
John Barbour, whose role in creating, producing and co-hosting the 1979-1984 NBC series Real People is recognized as a pioneering effort in the popularity of reality TV, died from natural causes on Sunday, May 10, at his home in Las Vegas.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 13 May 2026
The death, of natural causes, was confirmed by Sedelmaier’s daughter-in-law, Anna Sedelmaier.
—Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2026
Verb
Combining the televote with the jury votes causes countries to suddenly surge or plummet in the final rankings.
—Glen Weldon, NPR, 14 May 2026
And a lot of rain all at once causes problems for overwhelmed soil.
—Doyle Rice, USA Today, 13 May 2026
This causes dopamine overload, tolerance, and eventually depletion.
—Literary Hub, 13 May 2026
What causes high humidity in a house?
—Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 13 May 2026
Warming your feet causes blood vessels to dilate, which pulls heat away from your core.
—Allison Palmer, Kansas City Star, 13 May 2026
Today’s medicines have turned the virus that causes AIDS from a fast killer into a manageable chronic disease, often keeping the virus at undetectable levels, but only if people can afford the drugs and stick with them.
—ABC News, 12 May 2026
Improper watering causes slow growth, misshapen fruits, yellow or drooping foliage, and other issues.
—Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 12 May 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, 7 May 2026
Noun
The Looking Out Foundation is a nonprofit organization founded by Brandi Carlile which has supported humanitarian causes for over two decades – amplifying the impact of music by awarding grants, engaging community, and creating powerful partnerships.
—Frank Racioppi, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
Pullinsi's death from natural causes was announced Wednesday.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 20 May 2026
For decades, most American Jews understood ourselves as allies—and often champions—of progressive causes well beyond our own communal interests.
—Michael W. Sonnenfeldt, The Atlantic, 20 May 2026
After wildfires hit Georgia in April 2026 fueled by a rain deficit, high winds and low humidity, — among other causes, per NASA — neighboring states got slammed with poor air quality alerts.
—Ryan Brennan
may 19, Kansas City Star, 19 May 2026
Thailand has long struggled with a high rate of deadly transportation accidents, with factors such as speeding, impaired driving and inconsistent traffic law enforcement frequently cited as contributing causes, according to the AFP.
—Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 19 May 2026
Researchers are still debating the reading recession’s causes.
—ABC News, 13 May 2026
John Barbour, whose role in creating, producing and co-hosting the 1979-1984 NBC series Real People is recognized as a pioneering effort in the popularity of reality TV, died from natural causes on Sunday, May 10, at his home in Las Vegas.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 13 May 2026
The death, of natural causes, was confirmed by Sedelmaier’s daughter-in-law, Anna Sedelmaier.
—Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for causes
Verb
-
This creates true David-versus-Goliath scenarios, matches between the best teams in the world and those on the very fringes.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
-
Scott Ellis creates these incredibly warm, playful rooms where a small group of people can really come together and tell a story.—
Shivani Vora,
Forbes.com,
17 May 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
-
For decades, brand growth was fueled by buying attention through mass media, celebrity endorsements and large-scale campaigns designed to capture audiences.—
Felicity Fellows,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
-
Gerber joined Re/Done earlier this year as investor, creative partner and advisory board member, working closely with the brand across campaigns, storytelling, product, and broader creative direction.—
Angela Velasquez,
Footwear News,
22 May 2026
Verb
-
The company generates annual revenue between $500 million and $600 million, according to industry experts.—
Lyssanoel Frater,
USA Today,
14 May 2026
-
With most of the cast and crew kept in the dark to avoid any messy interference from their respective unions, the program generates scripts at a rapid clip.—
Caroline Framke,
The Atlantic,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
There are many reasons to be concerned about this particular Ebola outbreak.—
Jesse Pines,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
-
Numerous Democratic officeholders raised questions about whether Colbert was axed for political reasons.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
Opt for the signature Polynesian massage, which mimics soothing wave-like movements from head to toe.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
18 May 2026
-
Those interested in following wolf activity in California can track movements through the state Department of Fish and Wildlife’s online wolf tracker.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
When the vice president of operations brings the deal to a committee review, those stakeholders are already warmed up.—
Dee Blohm,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
-
Zara Larsson brings the neon colors to the amfAR Gala Cannes 2026 on May 21 in Cap d'Antibes, France.—
People Staff,
PEOPLE,
22 May 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 24 May. 2026.
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