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
Kansas City Star Weather Bot, Kansas City Star, 2 Apr. 2026
With gas prices averaging more than $4 per gallon, drivers are wondering what causes price variances at the pump from state to state.
—Keith Laing, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
The heat causes the second liquid to turn to steam, and the steam drives a generator turbine, producing electricity.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
Alcohol misuse causes more than 5 million emergency department visits each year, more than opioids or marijuana.
—Jonathan Hunt-Glassman, Fortune, 2 Apr. 2026
Then there’s the literal rocking of docks and fishing boats, which causes disputes between different lake users.
—Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 2 Apr. 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
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
Christa Swanson, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
Others were from causes unknown, not listed or still under investigation.
—Ryan Oehrli
april 1, Charlotte Observer, 1 Apr. 2026
One of the things that taught YLO members that an attack on the root causes of their problems was first necessary, and second possible, was the development of relations with groups from other communities and parts of the country.
—Literary Hub, 1 Apr. 2026
Bad lighting and poor poses are the most likely causes of poor identification.
—Jim Fisher, PC Magazine, 31 Mar. 2026
As for the causes of what’s impacting the WRS, Paulsen cites cratering consumer sentiment, dismal job postings, the impact of the Iran war, among other factors.
—Jake Angelo, Fortune, 31 Mar. 2026
Potential causes that were discussed included hypothermia and cardiac arrest due to his malnourished state.
—Michael Nied, PEOPLE, 31 Mar. 2026
The results of a recent study suggest that some clinicians might be failing to explore other causes when treating gender dysphoria.
—Big Think, 31 Mar. 2026
By age 65, about 53% of men will experience baldness due to varying causes, according to the National Council on Aging.
—Lily Hautau, CNN Money, 30 Mar. 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.
—Kansas City Star Weather Bot, Kansas City Star, 2 Apr. 2026
With gas prices averaging more than $4 per gallon, drivers are wondering what causes price variances at the pump from state to state.
—Keith Laing, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
The heat causes the second liquid to turn to steam, and the steam drives a generator turbine, producing electricity.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
Alcohol misuse causes more than 5 million emergency department visits each year, more than opioids or marijuana.
—Jonathan Hunt-Glassman, Fortune, 2 Apr. 2026
Then there’s the literal rocking of docks and fishing boats, which causes disputes between different lake users.
—Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 2 Apr. 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
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
Noun
The Colorado State Patrol is launching a new awareness campaign in April, highlighting common causes of crashes due to distracted driving.
—Christa Swanson, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
Others were from causes unknown, not listed or still under investigation.
—Ryan Oehrli
april 1, Charlotte Observer, 1 Apr. 2026
One of the things that taught YLO members that an attack on the root causes of their problems was first necessary, and second possible, was the development of relations with groups from other communities and parts of the country.
—Literary Hub, 1 Apr. 2026
Bad lighting and poor poses are the most likely causes of poor identification.
—Jim Fisher, PC Magazine, 31 Mar. 2026
As for the causes of what’s impacting the WRS, Paulsen cites cratering consumer sentiment, dismal job postings, the impact of the Iran war, among other factors.
—Jake Angelo, Fortune, 31 Mar. 2026
Potential causes that were discussed included hypothermia and cardiac arrest due to his malnourished state.
—Michael Nied, PEOPLE, 31 Mar. 2026
The results of a recent study suggest that some clinicians might be failing to explore other causes when treating gender dysphoria.
—Big Think, 31 Mar. 2026
By age 65, about 53% of men will experience baldness due to varying causes, according to the National Council on Aging.
—Lily Hautau, CNN Money, 30 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
-
Live Nation also generates revenue through sponsorship agreements and advertising partnerships tied to live performances and venues.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Mexico’s avocado industry generates up to 530,000 metric tons of pit waste each year.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Footwear News,
2 Apr. 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 4 Apr. 2026.
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