Synonyms of cause

cause 1 of 2

verb

as in to create

to be the cause of (a situation, action, or state of mind)

the ice storm caused a massive power outage

Synonyms & Similar Words

• create
• bring
• generate
• prompt
• produce
• do
• work
• induce
• spawn
• yield
• effect
• make
• invoke
• effectuate
• result (in)
• bring about
• catalyze
• draw on
• translate (into)
• encourage
• found
• promote
• give rise to
• introduce
• breed
• beget
• engender
• occasion
• bring forth
• bring on
• contribute (to)
• initiate
• determine
• inaugurate
• establish
• launch
• begin
• pioneer
• develop
• start
• decide
• foster
• institute
• render
• cultivate
• further
• conduce (to)
• set up
• forward
• enact
• advance
• set
• turn out
• father
• nurture
• innovate
• nourish

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• limit
• impede
• restrict
• suppress
• stifle
• quell
• subdue
• quash
• control
• dampen
• crush
• inhibit
• check
• restrain
• smother
• curb
• repress
• put down
• retard
• arrest
• kill
• can
• destroy
• rein (in)
• squelch
• crack down (on)
• squash
• still
• abolish
• clamp down (on)
• extinguish
• liquidate
• quench
• demolish
• snuff (out)

cause

2 of 2

noun

ˈkȯz 

1

as in reason

someone or something responsible for a result

the much-debated causes of the war

Synonyms & Similar Words

• reason
• determinant
• causation
• source
• causality
• antecedent
• occasion
• consideration
• factor
• origin
• impetus
• incentive
• mother
• stimulus
• root
• instigation
• inspiration
• spring
• be-all and end-all
• alpha and omega

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• effect
• result
• issue
• development
• consequence
• product
• outcome
• fruit
• sequence
• fate
• resultant
• aftermath
• outgrowth
• corollary
• sequel
• upshot
• end
• conclusion
• aftereffect
• ramification
• repercussion
• side effect
• denouement
• by-product

2

as in movement

a series of activities undertaken to achieve a goal

joined the freedom fighters' cause as a young man

Synonyms & Similar Words

• movement
• campaign
• push
• crusade
• drive
• project
• initiative
• attack
• march
• juggernaut
• blitz
• bandwagon
• bid
• assault
• mission
• maneuver
• offensive
• action
• undertaking
• enterprise

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of cause

Verb

Countries are racing to install renewables and other clean tech, particularly after the Iran war caused the second major global energy shock in five years, exposing fossil fuel supply vulnerability. —Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 30 Apr. 2026

The number seven would have put the stallion too far right of the field and closer to the stands of crowds, and so would have caused further distraction that would have leaked through Pal’s blinders and earplugs. —Literary Hub, 30 Apr. 2026

Noun

Later, in pre-litigation communications with Live Nation, the company said he was terminated for cause, according to the lawsuit. —Gretchen Morgenson, NBC news, 24 Apr. 2026

The third leading cause of death in America is not inevitable. —Joe Kiani, Fortune, 24 Apr. 2026

Phrases Containing cause

• cause celebre
• cause célèbre
• make common cause