cause
What prompts something
A cause is a thing that produces an effect or result: What was the cause of the accident?
In a broader sense, a cause is a principle or movement people support: fighting for a cause, a worthy cause.
The verb means to make something happen: The storm caused widespread damage.
To do something for the cause is to sacrifice for a shared goal.
What initiates action
- sparkTiny fiery particle
- stimulusWhat prompts a reaction
- impetusForce initiating action
- spurIncentive or heel device
precipitant · ignition · instigator · provocation · incitement · inducement · accelerant · instigation
Reason proving rightness
- rationaleStated basis for action
- explanationStatement making something clear
- groundsBasis for justification
- basisUnderlying support or principle
motive · motivation · why · account · logic · argument · premise · reasoning
Make or manufacture
provoke · spawn · trigger · elicit · evoke · occasion · effect · precipitate
Point of origin
- rootUnderground absorbing structure
- genesisPoint of creation
- beginningInitial stage of something
- basisUnderlying support or principle
foundation · seed · wellspring · fountainhead · antecedent · precursor · inception · provenance
Change in position
- campaignOrganized effort toward goal
- crusadeZealous effort for change
- advocacyPleading for a cause
- missionPurpose-driven task
charity · nonprofit · champion · rally · petition · fundraiser · awareness · justice
Result of an action
- outcomeFinal result of events
- resultWhat follows a cause
- impactForceful contact or consequence
- aftermathResults following an event
ramification · repercussion · corollary · fallout · upshot · aftereffect · side-effect · product
trigger
What initiates action
spur · precipitant · ignition · instigator · provocation · incitement · inducement · accelerant · instigation · flashpoint
justification
Reason proving rightness
- rationaleStated basis for action
- explanationStatement making something clear
- groundsBasis for justification
basis · motive · motivation · why · account · logic · argument · premise · reasoning · warrant
produce
Make or manufacture
prompt · provoke · spawn · trigger · elicit · evoke · occasion · effect · precipitate · instigate
source
Point of origin
basis · foundation · seed · wellspring · fountainhead · antecedent · precursor · inception · provenance · derivation
movement
Change in position
mission · charity · nonprofit · champion · rally · petition · fundraiser · awareness · justice · rights
consequence
Result of an action
aftermath · ramification · repercussion · corollary · fallout · upshot · aftereffect · side-effect · product · knock-on
- curiosityinquisitiveness, wonder, questioning, inquiry, interest
- explanationswhy, how come, explication, what happened, definition
- purposeaim, goal, purpose, objective, mission
- justificationsjustification, rationale, reason, explanation, grounds
- motivesintent, motive, intention, purpose, goal
- reasonrationale, justification, explanation, motive, basis
causechance
Likelihood of occurrence
accident · coincidence · fate · randomness · luck
- cause and effectHow events produce results
- lost causeEndeavor certain to fail
- rebel without a causeDefiant person lacking motive
- cause a sceneBehave dramatically in public
- natural causesDeath without external intervention
- cause a stirCreate noticeable commotion
because, caused, causes, causing, cause of action, causation, causeless, causeway, causal