entity - that which is perceived or known or inferred to have its own distinct existence (living or nonliving)

human, individual, mortal, person, somebody, someone, soul - a human being; "there was too much for one person to do"

agent - an active and efficient cause; capable of producing a certain effect; "their research uncovered new disease agents"

nature - a causal agent creating and controlling things in the universe; "the laws of nature"; "nature has seen to it that men are stronger than women"

occult, supernatural - supernatural forces and events and beings collectively; "She doesn't believe in the supernatural"

first cause, prime mover, primum mobile - a self-caused agent that is the cause of all things; "God is the first cause"

Destiny, Fate - the ultimate agency that predetermines the course of events (often personified as a woman); "we are helpless in the face of Destiny"

catalyst - something that causes an important event to happen; "the invasion acted as a catalyst to unite the country"

deus ex machina - any active agent who appears unexpectedly to solve and insoluble difficulty

manipulator, operator - an agent that operates some apparatus or machine; "the operator of the switchboard"

force, power - one possessing or exercising power or influence or authority; "the mysterious presence of an evil power"; "may the force be with you"; "the forces of evil"

life principle, vital principle - a hypothetical force to which the functions and qualities peculiar to living things are sometimes ascribed

engine - something used to achieve a purpose; "an engine of change"

cause of death, killer - the causal agent resulting in death; "heart disease is the biggest killer in the United States"

danger - a cause of pain or injury or loss; "he feared the dangers of traveling by air"

agent - a substance that exerts some force or effect