Definitions

causation

[kaw-zey-shuhn] / kɔˈzeɪ ʃən /

NOUN

cause

Synonyms

STRONGEST

element explanation matter motivation motive origin principle purpose root source

STRONG

account agency aim antecedent author basis beginning consideration creator determinant doer end foundation genesis ground grounds incitement inducement instigation leaven mainspring maker object occasion producer spring stimulation

WEAK

prime mover

Antonyms

STRONGEST

discouragement effect result

STRONG

conclusion finish neglect thoughtlessness

WEAK

consequence development fruit issue outcome outgrowth product

NOUN

making

Synonyms

STRONGEST

formulation

STRONG

authoring building composition conception constituting construction contriving designing devising fabrication fancying fashioning forging occasioning origination performing planning producing production shaping

Antonyms

STRONG

destruction ruin

NOUN

origin

Synonyms

STRONGEST

ancestor ancestry connection element influence motive provenance root source

STRONG

agent antecedent author base causality creator derivation determinant egg embryo fountain generator germ impulse inception inducement inspiration mainspring nucleus occasion parent parentage principle producer progenitor provenience roots seed spring stock well wellspring

WEAK

horse's mouth

Antonyms

STRONG

conclusion effect end ending result

WEAK

close completion consequence death destiny finale goal outcome outgrowth termination

NOUN

provenience

Synonyms

STRONG

agent ancestor ancestry antecedent author base beginning causality connection creator derivation determinant egg element embryo fount fountain fountainhead generator germ impulse inception inducement influence inspiration mainspring mother motive nucleus occasion parent parentage principle producer progenitor provenance root roots rootstock seed source spring stock well wellspring

WEAK

horse's mouth

Antonyms

STRONG

conclusion discouragement effect end ending finish hindrance result

NOUN

rootstock

Synonyms

STRONG

agent ancestor ancestry antecedent author base beginning causality connection creator derivation determinant egg element embryo fount fountain fountainhead generator germ impulse inception inducement influence inspiration mainspring mother motive nucleus occasion parent parentage principle producer progenitor provenance provenience root roots seed source spring stock well wellspring

WEAK

horse's mouth

Antonyms

STRONG

conclusion discouragement effect end ending finish hindrance result

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

With social media, it may be difficult to prove causation for an individual, but once we consider population-level research, the link is undeniable, as it was with tobacco.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

I was careful not to formally assert the level of causation.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 24, 2026

He explained that language emphasizing causation over correlation and other results biases is a problem in scientific research at-large, but in his opinion, this is an egregious example.

From Salon • Mar. 11, 2026

Ni Lochlainn accepts that to many people this sounds unpleasant - but these studies are important because they suggest a direct line of causation: from a gut microbiome to the age of a body.

From BBC • Jan. 12, 2026

The term ‘law’ implies unbroken regularity, with no exceptions, but nothing is conveyed about causation.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

causation

Example Sentences

Related Words