If you need a result synonym, start with outcome, consequence, effect, upshot and findings. Outcome is neutral, consequence often hints at something bad, effect points to a change, and findings belong to research.
Result is also a verb (result in, result from) and a handy linking phrase (as a result). Those uses need different swaps, so this page treats them one by one. Further down sit a resulting synonym list and a few antonyms that point back to the cause.
Swatch at a glance
Best swaps
outcome, consequence, effect, upshot, findingsPart of speech
Noun and verbMost formal
consequence, resultant, ensuingMost casual
upshot, payoff, what came of itNegative tone
fallout, aftermath, consequenceWatch out
Affect is a verb and effect is usually the noun. The result is an effect, not an affect.Word forms covered
result, results, resulted, resulting
Noun swaps: another word for result
Choose by tone. Is the result neutral, good, bad, or a number?
| Tone | Words | In a sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Neutral | outcome, effect, end result | The outcome of the vote surprised no one. |
| Mostly negative | consequence, fallout, aftermath | The fallout from the leak lasted weeks. |
| Positive | fruit, payoff, reward | The garden is the fruit of a year of work. |
| Casual summary | upshot | The upshot is that we move on Friday. |
| Numbers and tests | findings, score, figures, grade | Her score jumped after the course. |
Ranking the result synonym chips
Read the five chips like a ladder: chatty on the left, stiff on the right. Payoff is chatty and positive. Upshot is relaxed and sums things up. Effect is plain and scientific. Outcome is the neutral favorite of reports. Consequence is the most formal and often carries weight or blame.
Aftermath is worth a note. It means the period after something bad, such as a storm or a war, so it sounds wrong after a party or a promotion.
Another word for results in reports and grades
Looking for a results synonym? The plural changes with context. In research, findings is standard: our findings suggest a link. For exams, use scores, grades or marks (the last is common outside the US). In finance and sales, figures or returns sound precise. In sports, scores or the final tally fit.
A student writes in a lab report: "The results show the results of heating." Better: "The findings show the effects of heating." One noun for data, one for the change, and the repeat is gone.
Verbs: result in and result from
Watch the little word after the verb. Result in points forward to the effect; result from points back to the cause.
- The heat wave resulted in crop losses becomes the heat wave led to crop losses.
- Skipping the update may result in errors becomes skipping the update may trigger errors.
- The delay resulted from a staff shortage becomes the delay stemmed from a staff shortage.
- Most errors result from haste becomes most errors arise from haste.
Bring about and give rise to sound formal. Lead to is the all-purpose choice.
A resulting synonym for adjectives
Resulting describes something caused by an earlier event. Ensuing and subsequent stress the order in time: the ensuing panic. Consequent and resultant stress the cause: the consequent rise in rents. Following is the simplest but only shows order.
Example swap: the resulting chaos delayed the flight becomes the ensuing chaos delayed the flight.
As a result and other linking phrases
When result opens a sentence as a link, swap the whole phrase. Consequently and therefore sound formal. So works in speech. Thus is formal and compact. For many more choices, see as a result synonyms and the transition words hub.
Antonyms: from effect back to cause
The opposite of a result is where it began. Cause is the direct antonym. Origin, source and root point to the start of a chain. Reason explains why.
- Poor sleep was the root of his bad mood.
- Investigators traced the source of the fire.
Frequently asked questions
Which noun do writers reach for first in place of result?
Outcome is the most widely used noun swap. It is neutral, so it fits good news, bad news and anything in between.
Is consequence a good word for result?
Yes, but it often suggests a bad or serious result. Write the consequences of the decision when you want to stress impact or blame.
Which word replaces results in a research paper?
Findings is the standard swap. Data and figures work for raw numbers, and outcomes fits medical or social studies.
What does upshot mean?
Upshot is a casual word for the final result or main point. It often opens a summary: the upshot is that we need more staff.
Should I write result in or result from?
Use result in for the effect and result from for the cause. The rain resulted in floods, and the floods resulted from the rain.
What is the opposite of result?
Cause is the direct opposite. Origin, source and root also work when you mean the starting point.