ascribe (something) to

phrase

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.

Examples of ascribe (something) to in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

And to dust off some golden-oldie phraseology that fans, friends and media often ascribe to great athletes who’ve made epic falls, Ilia Malinin will be back. — Steve Buckley, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2026

Of course, morality can still play a role in political thinking, just not the all-encompassing and determinative one that moralists ascribe to it. — Andrew Day, Washington Post, 28 Jan. 2026

Some advisors ascribe to a 10% rule of thumb — meaning no one stock or asset should make up more than 10% of a portfolio. — Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 9 Jan. 2026

Another label, Hui Hui, creates pendants made with horse hair, which also ascribe to the nomadic trend, has secured 80 stockists in just two years, a testament to the popularity of the style. — Lucy Maguire, Vogue, 30 Oct. 2025