Another word for cause

cause Synonyms

cause

n.

An underlying principle
motive, reason, causation, object, purpose, explanation, inducement, incitement, prime mover, motive power, mainspring, ultimate cause, basis, justification, ground, matter, element, stimulation, instigation, foundation, determinant, wherefore, the why and wherefore; see also basis 1, reason 3.
Antonyms effect, result*, outcome.
The origin or source, thought of as the cause
antecedent, root, beginning; see origin 3.
The immediate moving force
antecedent, agent, condition, etiology, prompting, ground, problem, subject of dispute, matter, occasion, case, circumstance, precedent, situation, fault, straw that breaks the camel's back; see also circumstance 1, circumstances 2, event 1.
A person who brings about a result
originator, agent, doer, instigator; see author 1, doer.
A belief
principles, conviction, creed, movement; see belief 1, faith 2.
Aim
object, goal, ideal, objective; see plan 2, purpose 1.

causerefers to a situation, event, or agent that produces an effect or result carelessness is often a cause of accidents; reason implies the mental activity of a rational being in explaining or justifying some act or thought she had a reason for laughing; a motive is an impulse, emotion, or desire that leads to action the motive for a crime; an antecedent is an event or thing that is the predecessor of, and is usually to some extent responsible for, a later event or thing war always has its antecedents; a determinant is a cause that helps to determine the character of an effect or result ambition was a determinant in his success

cause Synonyms

cause

v.

To bring about
produce, effect, make, let; see begin 1, create 2.
To be the cause
originate, provoke, generate, occasion, kindle, give rise to, induce, precipitate, prompt, bring about, bring on, spell, give occasion to, lie at the root of, be at the bottom of, bring to pass, sow the seeds of, breed; see also begin 1.

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WEBSTER’S NEW WORLD® ROGET’S A-Z THESAURUS by Charlton Laird and the editors of Webster’s New World dictionaries. Copyright © 1999 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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Another word for cause

noun

That which produces an effect:
antecedent, occasion. See start
A basis for an action or a decision:
ground (often used in plural), motivation, motive, reason, spring. See start
That which provides a reason or justification:
call, ground (often used in plural), justification, necessity, occasion, reason, wherefore, why. Idiom: why and wherefore. See start
A goal or set of interests served with dedication:
crusade. See start
A legal proceeding to demand justice or enforce a right:
action, case, instance, lawsuit, suit. See law