bring about

Short definition: The phrase bring about means to cause something to happen, especially a change or result, by taking action or influencing events in a deliberate or indirect way.

Looking for a clear and natural explanation of the phrasal verb bring about? This phrase is often used in more formal or serious contexts, especially when talking about change, results, or consequences. It usually means causing something to happen, often after effort, influence, or a series of actions. You’ll hear it in discussions about politics, social movements, business decisions, or personal growth. Below are detailed meanings with realistic examples so you can clearly understand how bring about works in everyday and formal English.

bring about v. /ˌbrɪŋ əˈbaʊt/

Forms: bring about, brings about, brought about, bringing about
Related: cause v., result n., effect n., outcome n.
Syllable: bring-a-bout

  1. (Verb) To cause something to happen, especially a significant change or result.

    To bring about something means to make it happen, usually through effort, influence, or a chain of actions. It often refers to important outcomes like reform, improvement, crisis, or transformation. This phrase sounds slightly formal and is common in reports, speeches, and thoughtful discussions.

    The new policies were designed to bring about positive changes in the education system.
    His leadership helped bring about a major shift in company culture.
    Small daily habits can eventually bring about big improvements in your health.

    Synonyms: cause, create, produce, generate, lead to, result in, trigger, initiate, provoke, spark, give rise to, make happen
    Antonyms: prevent, stop, hinder, block, avoid, suppress, delay, obstruct, cancel, halt, reduce chances of, discourage

  2. (Verb) To achieve or accomplish something through deliberate effort.

    Bring about can also emphasize intention. It suggests that someone actively worked toward a goal and eventually made it real. In this sense, the phrase highlights responsibility and agency.

    The activist group worked tirelessly to bring about environmental reform.
    Careful negotiation helped bring about a peaceful agreement.
    Determination and teamwork can bring about meaningful progress.

    Synonyms: accomplish, achieve, effect, realize, carry out, implement, bring to pass, secure, attain, accomplish change, make possible, fulfill
    Antonyms: fail to achieve, abandon effort, give up, neglect action, sabotage, undermine, ignore, derail, weaken, prevent success, frustrate plans, abandon goal

  3. (Verb) To indirectly result in something, sometimes unintentionally.

    Sometimes bring about is used when the outcome wasn’t fully planned. Actions may unintentionally cause consequences. In this sense, the phrase can describe both positive and negative results.

    His careless comments helped bring about unnecessary tension in the team.
    Economic pressure can bring about unexpected changes in consumer behavior.
    Technological innovation often brings about new challenges alongside new opportunities.

    Synonyms: lead to indirectly, contribute to, influence, shape, set in motion, cause indirectly, play a role in, produce consequences, foster, stimulate, encourage, pave the way for
    Antonyms: neutralize, offset, counteract, prevent outcome, reverse, eliminate effect, cancel out, minimize impact, restrain influence, reduce effect, avoid consequence, stop development

Conversation Using the Phrasal Verb Bring about

In a strategy meeting about community development, Arthur and Beatrice discuss social progress. The conversation highlights bring about, which means to cause something to happen or to make a significant change occur through effort or specific actions.

Arthur: We need to decide which new policies will most effectively bring about a reduction in the local unemployment rate this year.

Beatrice: I believe that investing in vocational training will bring about the long-term economic growth that our neighborhood desperately needs.

Arthur: I read that the new environmental laws were designed to bring about a cleaner atmosphere and healthier living conditions for everyone.

Beatrice: I noticed that the small changes we made to the office culture helped bring about a much more positive and productive atmosphere.

Arthur: If we want to bring about peace in the region, both sides must be willing to engage in honest and open communication.

Beatrice: I saw a documentary where a single determined activist managed to bring about a massive change in the national civil rights laws.

Arthur: It’s amazing how a simple invention like the steam engine helped bring about the industrial revolution and changed the world forever.

Beatrice: I agree; sometimes it takes a very small spark to bring about a massive transformation in how an entire society operates.

Arthur: I’m going to draft a proposal to bring about better lighting in the public park; it will make the area much safer at night.

Beatrice: I’ll support you; once we bring about these improvements, more families will be willing to visit the park after work.

Phrases Containing the Phrasal Verb Bring About

The phrases below show how the phrasal verb bring about is used to talk about causing change, producing results, or making something happen, especially in formal or serious contexts.

Bring about change

To cause change to happen.

The new leadership strategy was designed to bring about change in the company culture and improve long-term performance.

Bring about improvement

To cause something to get better.

Small daily habits can bring about improvement in both physical health and mental focus over time.

Bring about a solution

To make a solution happen.

Open communication between departments helped bring about a practical solution to the recurring delays.

Bring about reform

To cause structural change.

The committee worked tirelessly to bring about reform in outdated policies that no longer served the community.

Bring about growth

To cause development.

Strategic investments in technology can bring about growth in emerging markets.

Bring about awareness

To increase understanding.

The campaign was launched to bring about awareness of environmental issues among young people.

Bring about progress

To cause forward movement.

Collaboration between experts from different fields can bring about significant progress in research.

Bring about a breakthrough

To cause a major discovery.

Years of careful experimentation finally brought about a breakthrough in renewable energy technology.

Bring about positive results

To produce good outcomes.

Consistent effort and honest feedback often bring about positive results in team performance.

Bring about transformation

To cause deep change.

Education has the power to bring about transformation in communities facing long-term challenges.

Bring about a crisis

To cause serious problems.

Poor financial decisions can bring about a crisis that affects an entire organization.

Bring about success

To cause achievement.

Careful planning and disciplined execution can bring about success even in competitive industries.

Bring about change gradually

To cause slow development.

They aimed to bring about change gradually to avoid resistance from long-time employees.

Bring about stability

To create balance.

The reforms were introduced to bring about stability in the financial system.

Bring about innovation

To cause creative development.

Encouraging open discussion can bring about innovation within creative teams.

Bring about recovery

To cause improvement after decline.

Strategic restructuring helped bring about recovery after the economic downturn.

Bring about equality

To create fairness.

Social movements often seek to bring about equality in education and employment opportunities.

Bring about cooperation

To cause people to work together.

Diplomatic efforts were made to bring about cooperation between neighboring countries.

Bring about long-term impact

To cause lasting effects.

Sustainable policies can bring about long-term impact that benefits future generations.

Bring about meaningful change

To cause important improvement.

True leadership aims to bring about meaningful change rather than temporary results.

Words Rhyme with bring about

sing about
ring about
wing about
king about
thing about
spring about
fling about
sling about
cling about
string about
about
out
shout
scout
doubt
trout
bout
snout
gout
route
spout
stout
clout
flout
without
throughout
devout
redoubt
dropout
turnout
POS: Verb Phrase