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
Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 26 Mar. 2026
That’s what causes the death of the soul, the death of the self.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 26 Mar. 2026
If a person directly causes the death, the penalty can increase to 12 years.
—ABC News, 26 Mar. 2026
Testing showed that bacteria that causes Lyme disease was highest in adult female ticks from Fairfield County, with around 68% positive, and in nymphs from New Haven County, with around 32% positive for the virus, according to CAES.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 25 Mar. 2026
As the temperature drops, the cold causes the protein to shift into a more stable state in which one of its key structural pillars bends sharply, breaks away from its neighbor and straightens out.
—Jacek Krywko, Scientific American, 25 Mar. 2026
Her philanthropic support spans arts and film — notably the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance, the Israel Film Festival, and The Paley Center for Media — alongside causes dedicated to children and families in crisis, healthcare, civil rights, and access to justice.
—William Earl, Variety, 25 Mar. 2026
Ketoconazole can create a healthier overall scalp environment by reducing inflammation — which causes damage to the hair follicles.
—Rebecca Strong, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
Throughout the case, the companies insisted that there is no scientific proof that social media causes mental health issues, suggesting that they are being used as a scapegoat for the multi-faceted emotional issues children face that can have many root causes.
—Bobby Allyn, NPR, 25 Mar. 2026
Bobby Allyn, NPR, 25 Mar. 2026
Burkina Faso, Mauritania, and Niger are among those that will see such deaths exceeding those from stroke, one of the top causes of death across the globe, research from the nonprofit group Climate Impact Lab found.
—Preeti Jha, semafor.com, 25 Mar. 2026
As of early 2026, COVID-19 has fallen out of the top 10 causes of death in the state.
—Cindy Krischer Goodman, Miami Herald, 25 Mar. 2026
The causes of the spikes in antisemitic attacks and other hateful conduct are complex and longstanding, experts say.
—ABC News, 24 Mar. 2026
The pope devoted more time to promoting causes favored by liberals, such as environmental sustainability and social justice.
—Francis X. Rocca, The Atlantic, 24 Mar. 2026
Acuña died Monday of unspecified causes.
—Dorany Pineda, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2026
She was widely known as the smartest dog in the world before her death in July 2019 from natural causes at the age of 15.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 23 Mar. 2026
Fonda has long been committed to political causes and freedom of the press.
—Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 23 Mar. 2026
Verb
All parts of giant hogweed contain the phototoxic chemical that causes burns, including the flowers and seeds.
—Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 26 Mar. 2026
That’s what causes the death of the soul, the death of the self.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 26 Mar. 2026
If a person directly causes the death, the penalty can increase to 12 years.
—ABC News, 26 Mar. 2026
Testing showed that bacteria that causes Lyme disease was highest in adult female ticks from Fairfield County, with around 68% positive, and in nymphs from New Haven County, with around 32% positive for the virus, according to CAES.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 25 Mar. 2026
As the temperature drops, the cold causes the protein to shift into a more stable state in which one of its key structural pillars bends sharply, breaks away from its neighbor and straightens out.
—Jacek Krywko, Scientific American, 25 Mar. 2026
Her philanthropic support spans arts and film — notably the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance, the Israel Film Festival, and The Paley Center for Media — alongside causes dedicated to children and families in crisis, healthcare, civil rights, and access to justice.
—William Earl, Variety, 25 Mar. 2026
Ketoconazole can create a healthier overall scalp environment by reducing inflammation — which causes damage to the hair follicles.
—Rebecca Strong, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
Throughout the case, the companies insisted that there is no scientific proof that social media causes mental health issues, suggesting that they are being used as a scapegoat for the multi-faceted emotional issues children face that can have many root causes.
—Bobby Allyn, NPR, 25 Mar. 2026
Noun
Throughout the case, the companies insisted that there is no scientific proof that social media causes mental health issues, suggesting that they are being used as a scapegoat for the multi-faceted emotional issues children face that can have many root causes.
—Bobby Allyn, NPR, 25 Mar. 2026
Burkina Faso, Mauritania, and Niger are among those that will see such deaths exceeding those from stroke, one of the top causes of death across the globe, research from the nonprofit group Climate Impact Lab found.
—Preeti Jha, semafor.com, 25 Mar. 2026
As of early 2026, COVID-19 has fallen out of the top 10 causes of death in the state.
—Cindy Krischer Goodman, Miami Herald, 25 Mar. 2026
The causes of the spikes in antisemitic attacks and other hateful conduct are complex and longstanding, experts say.
—ABC News, 24 Mar. 2026
The pope devoted more time to promoting causes favored by liberals, such as environmental sustainability and social justice.
—Francis X. Rocca, The Atlantic, 24 Mar. 2026
Acuña died Monday of unspecified causes.
—Dorany Pineda, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2026
She was widely known as the smartest dog in the world before her death in July 2019 from natural causes at the age of 15.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 23 Mar. 2026
Fonda has long been committed to political causes and freedom of the press.
—Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 23 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for causes
Verb
-
Inside, a central ramp—which spirals upward and outward from one exhibition floor to the next—creates an open interior space, flooded with daylight that pours in through a glass dome.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Mar. 2026
-
That creates an opportunity for automation.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Another long-standing challenge to physician authority and judgment is the relationship with insurers, which has become one of the most significant determinants of care delivery.—
Sreedhar Potarazu,
Baltimore Sun,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The organization offers a Nurse Family Partnership Program, which consists of weekly home visits from a nurse, and the Guided Journey Program, which focuses on the social determinants of health.—
Briah Lumpkins,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Kalshi is barring athletes and coaches from betting on their sports and preventing politicians from trading on their campaigns, Axios reported.—
Morgan Chalfant,
semafor.com,
27 Mar. 2026
-
While the district has launched campaigns to market specific programs before, none have matched the scope of this one, according to Amanda Simpson, director of communications.—
Jessica Ma,
Dallas Morning News,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
All pitchers agree that the guy holding the bat generates crucial data that a pitcher ignores at his peril.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Just mentioning Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson generates a range of opinions.—
Antwan Staley,
New York Daily News,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In this case, that blend of tradition and artistic interpretation resulted in a final product that stood out—if not entirely for the reasons the bride expected.—
Claire Dodds,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
-
One of the reasons American troops would be vulnerable on Kharg Island is its close proximity to the Iranian mainland, from which missiles, drones and artillery could be fired.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Senor and Stephens are neoconservatives who hardly needed to be convinced that the members of progressive movements were not friends of the Jewish people.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Powered by a new system called MoDE-VLA (Mixture of Dexterous Experts), the robot combines vision, language, touch, and force sensing to execute complex movements.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Saturn aligning with Pluto brings new boundaries and commitments that reshape your daily routine.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
28 Mar. 2026
-
With a 6-foot-4, 194-pound frame, McAlister brings top playmaker ability.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 Mar. 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 2 Apr. 2026.
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