CAUSES Synonyms: 157 Similar and Opposite Words

causes 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of cause

as in creates

to be the cause of (a situation, action, or state of mind) the ice storm caused a massive power outage

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

causes

2 of 2

noun

plural of cause

as in determinants

someone or something responsible for a result the much-debated causes of the war

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in campaigns

a series of activities undertaken to achieve a goal joined the freedom fighters' cause as a young man

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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

Verb

Achalasia is a chronic condition that causes trouble swallowing and passing food through the esophagus. — Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 8 Nov. 2026 And not having my direct supervisor here causes all kinds of confusion. — R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 8 Nov. 2026 The solvent mixture causes the ionomer to swell, creating conditions that allow fluoride ions to move through the quasi-solid material. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2026 How the kaiju responds then causes the humans to act in a certain way. — Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 7 Nov. 2026 Time away from work to vote should be taken at the beginning or end of a shift — whichever causes the least disruption to the workday — unless the employer and employee agree on another arrangement. — Sacbee.com, 1 Nov. 2026 Researchers are still working out exactly how the parasite causes this change, but studies have found changes in proteins in the host’s brain as the parasite manipulates it. — Tara Deans, The Conversation, 30 Oct. 2026 This position causes the moonlight to pass through a denser layer of air, shortening blue and violet wavelengths and making the orange and red ones stand out — similar to a sunset. — Dharma Niles, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2026 Yet in September, Bangladesh reported a daily average of 1,198 new cases of measles, which causes a high fever, cough and telltale rash. — Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026

Noun

Her first bill renamed the Southeast Coral Reef Ecosystem Conservation Area after Jacobs, who was a fierce advocate for environmental causes. — Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 14 Nov. 2026 When Morgan’s death was first reported last month, the Los Angeles Police Department said the death was the result of natural causes. — Greg Evans, Deadline, 14 Nov. 2026 Ultimately, what will make war unimaginable is a positive peace agenda that addresses the root causes of insecurity. — Pedro Sánchez, Foreign Affairs, 13 Nov. 2026 Searching for answers Once the stroke was identified, Mascoli’s care team investigated possible causes. — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 13 Nov. 2026 When the United States Food and Drug Administration cleared the Apple Watch’s Hypertension Notification Feature last year, some saw it as a turning point in the fight against one of the leading causes of cardiac disease. — Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 13 Nov. 2026 Lyte has since supported women’s rights, voter education and other causes, in addition co-founding the Hip-Hop Sisters Network in 2006. — Gail Mitchell, Billboard, 13 Nov. 2026 The Antonioli Group includes the Antonioli stores; the Ann Demeulemeester and 44 Label Group brands; Milan’s go-to Sogni restaurant and Volt nightclub, as well as Oasi Muso, a nonprofit foundation supporting animals and environmental causes. — Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 13 Nov. 2026 Dark circles, dull skin and a tired complexion can be a result of many other causes, including genetics, hormonal changes, dehydration, stress, and poor sleep. — Amy Francombe, Vogue, 6 Nov. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for causes

Verb

Their activity creates a growing stream of branch updates, code reviews, merges, and repository downloads.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2026
Proposition 40 creates a one-time, 5% tax on Californians whose net worth exceeds $1 billion.

— Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of creates

Noun

Many of those outcomes can be attributed to social determinants of health, like affordability, care access and transportation.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 28 Sep. 2026
Callender spearheaded a sprawling new vision for Memorial Hermann that focused on addressing social determinants of health, or the social and economic conditions that influence individual and community health.

— Julian Gill, Houston Chronicle, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of determinants

Noun

Democratic gains in six state governments could revive an effort to shift presidential campaigns away from battleground states and toward winning the national popular vote.

— Nicholas Riccardi, Los Angeles Times, 10 Nov. 2026
The Democratic governors-elect in all three made Medicaid expansion a part of their campaigns.

— Amanda Erickson, STAT, 10 Nov. 2026

Definition of campaigns

Verb

McKenzie declined to share how much revenue the company generates on an annual basis.

— Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 2 Nov. 2026
Reactors use a different fuel recipe The Sun primarily generates energy through the proton–proton chain, a sequence that ultimately converts hydrogen into helium.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 31 Oct. 2026

Definition of generates

Noun

In the original cartoons, produced and directed by the Fleischer Brothers, Max and Dave, every cartoon makes broad, elastic, sweeping movements, often to peppy jazz scores.

— Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 8 Nov. 2026
The robot does the physical work while a person controls its movements from a safer location.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 7 Nov. 2026

Definition of movements

Verb

Put down the imaginary conversation and choose something that brings you back to the present.

— Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 13 Nov. 2026
San Antonio reached the NBA Finals last season and has been one of the best teams in the West again, while Golden State brings one of the league’s top 3-point attacks into a tough road matchup.

— , FOXNews.com, 13 Nov. 2026