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

At night, the fibromyalgia causes Lukas to wake up crying from muscle aches. — Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2026 Postmortem studies have shown that Huntington’s causes a specific type of striatal neurons—the cells that send signals around the brain and nervous system—to be lost. — Claudia Metzler-Baddeley, Scientific American, 5 Sep. 2026 Economists once again think economic growth causes prices to rise. — John Tamny, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026 Dandruff typically causes thicker, oilier, and sometimes yellow flakes. — Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour, 29 Aug. 2026 Mail and Paper Piles Leaving mail and stacks of paper on coffee tables, console tables, and end tables is distracting and causes a conflict between relaxation and productive tasks, which Lee notes are two things that don't go together. — Maria Sabella, The Spruce, 23 Aug. 2026 Melanoma accounts for just 1% of skin cancer cases but causes the majority of skin cancer deaths, according to the American Cancer Society. — Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 18 Aug. 2026 All of these conditions are driven by climate change, which makes wildfires burn hotter and faster and causes more severe storms. — Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 16 Aug. 2026 However, scaling these materials up from tiny laboratory chips to commercial panels usually causes major power losses. — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 16 Aug. 2026

Noun

Others, including major philanthropic institutions, have pulled back out of fear of retribution that giving to political or racial justice causes could draw the administration's ire. — ABC News, 19 Sep. 2026 Activists of all ages are organizing events to promote sustainability, biodiversity and other environmental causes. — Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026 Irving, who plays for the Dallas Mavericks, has been outspoken in his support for Palestinian causes. — Jacob Gurvis, Sun Sentinel, 18 Sep. 2026 He's been spotted wearing shirts supporting causes linked to Black Lives Matter quite often and has also been a vocal supporter of LGBTQ+ issues. — Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 18 Sep. 2026 Parton also made an effort to contribute to causes such as child literacy with her Imagination Library program, which mails a free age-appropriate book to children every month from birth to fifth grade. — Tania Azhang, Sacbee.com, 4 Sep. 2026 But the symptoms of low testosterone—such as low energy and low libido—are common as people age and may have all sorts of causes, according to the Endocrine Society. — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 4 Sep. 2026 And one of the most common causes is a problem with the meibomian glands, the oil glands in the eyelids that keep tears from drying up too fast. — Maria Godoy, NPR, 4 Sep. 2026 Meghan settled into royal life with a growing slate of charitable causes and public engagements, while Harry was juggling his own duties as the Duke of Sussex. — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 4 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for causes

Verb

Every interaction, transaction and connected device creates information that support leaders in making better decisions.

— Suresh Rajapakse, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026
His more useful answer leads us to a sweeping new study of what creates successful entrepreneurs.

— Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of creates

Noun

In their perspective published Saturday in the New England Journal of Medicine, a veterinarian and an oncologist quickly point out the social determinants of health at play in this scenario.

— Elizabeth Cooney, STAT, 31 Aug. 2026
One of us is a social epidemiologist who studies the social and structural determinants of health, and the other is a prevention scientist who studies risk and protective factors among young people.

— Jonathan Wright, The Conversation, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of determinants

Noun

In a country that’s found success with national campaigns – from public cleanliness to encouraging courtesy – a light nudge and a little reward might just be enough to get people to turn the page.

— Kathleen Magramo, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2026
The effort will also use some now-widespread techniques in political campaigns, such as geotargeting online ads and partnerships with local content creators for audiences who mainly receive their news online.

— Matt Brown, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of campaigns

Noun

And there might be strategic reasons to hold Luzardo back for a potential Game 3.

— Matt Gelb, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
The move is striking for a number of reasons, ranging from the existing budget disparities between the two parties involved to the fact that the money would be used for projects that the current NIH leadership has explicitly rejected.

— John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of reasons

Noun

Neither of those movements were recorded as dribbles by Opta, but his final flourish past Rohl in the 64th minute did get classed as one.

— Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Over the past century, feminist movements in France have also successfully pioneered campaigns for women’s suffrage, reproductive rights and greater gender equality.

— Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of movements

Verb

AmaWaterways brings guests front row to an exclusive jazz performance in the streets here, where the acoustics haven’t changed in 400 years.

— Condé Nast Traveler, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Sep. 2026
Adak brings nearly two decades of experience across consumer and retail businesses and previously held senior roles at Li & Fung and Forever 21.

— Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2026