The phrase "cause pain" refers to inflicting physical or emotional discomfort on someone or something. There are several synonyms for this expression, including "hurt," "injure," "wound," "harm," "agony," and "torment." Hurt and injure specifically relate to harming someone's physical well-being, while wound can refer to either physical or emotional damage. Harm includes both physical and emotional damage, while agony and torment specifically refer to extreme instances of pain. Using a variety of synonyms can help add depth and nuance to your writing, providing a more expressive portrayal of the impact of one's actions.