ascribe (something) to

idiom

formal

: to say or think that (something) is caused by, comes from, or is associated with (something or someone) : assign, credit, or blame

They ascribed his illness to chemicals in his brain.

The author ascribes the economy's success to the current government.

She ascribes no importance to having lots of money.

These poems are usually ascribed to Homer.

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

Trump could run again himself, and the blame that Trump's most loyal supporters ascribe to Pence for failing to overturn the election. —Paul Leblanc, CNN, 1 Nov. 2021

But as her alternately thoughtful and impulsive actions remind us, terms like good and evil are much too reductive to ascribe to behavior so messily, recognizably human. —Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2021

Last year was a historically mild season, which many experts ascribe to the fact that people were wearing masks and social distancing, fewer people were traveling, and many schools were closed. —Shari Rudavsky, The Indianapolis Star, 12 Oct. 2021

Paulson plays a YouTube meditation guru grappling with Covid-19, the political climate, and her family, who ascribe to rather different politics. —Roxane Gay, Harper's BAZAAR, 22 Sep. 2020

That’s a lot of weight to ascribe to a narrow victory over a winless Atlanta team in Week Two. —David Moore, Dallas News, 20 Sep. 2020

Don't go by definitions others would ascribe to you. —Jennifer "jay" Palumbo, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2023

Perhaps the small proportion of people that don’t ascribe to stereotypes of boringness are right. —Gabe Allen, Discover Magazine, 29 Apr. 2022

Many in the White Nationalist movement who participated in the violent attack of the US Capitol on January 6th, it can be argued, ascribe to this viewpoint as well. —Charlie Dent, CNN, 1 Mar. 2022

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