attribute (something) to (someone or something)

idiom

1

: to say that (something) is because of (someone or something)

He attributes his success to his coach.

His doctor attributes his health problems to a poor diet and a lack of exercise.

2

: to think of (something) as being a quality of (someone or something)

The study suggests that it is a mistake to attribute adult reasoning to children.

Is it right to attribute complex emotions to animals?

She attributed some importance to the research.

3

: to think of (something) as being made or created by (someone)

The poem is usually attributed to Shakespeare, but some scholars doubt that he wrote it.

Examples of attribute (something) to (someone or something) in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Enrollment has more than doubled since 2020, which experts largely attribute to enhanced insurance subsidies offered by Democrats in the American Rescue Plan Act in 2021 and then extended through 2025 by the Inflation Reduction Act. —Greg Iacurci,lorie Konish, CNBC, 6 June 2025

Bianco maintains that the jail deaths, many of which authorities attribute to drug overdoses and suicides, are a reflection of the inmates’ life choices rather than a sign of any problem with the jail system. —James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2025

Despite being one of the pre-tournament favorites, the Northern Irishman performed poorly in the event, which many attribute to his need to play with a different driver than usual. —Julio Cesar Valdera Morales, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 May 2025

Specifically, there was a sharp dip in the variety of obsidian types used in ceremonial objects from 1430 C.E., which the researchers attribute to increasing levels of centralized control and religious standardization. —Rosie McCall, Discover Magazine, 12 May 2025