contributing factor

noun

: something that helps cause a result
According to the police report of the accident, excessive speed was a contributing factor.
often + to/in
The coach's positive attitude was a contributing factor to/in the team's success.

Examples of contributing factor in a Sentence

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The drought in the state, one of the worst in years, has acted as a contributing factor. Sarah Perkel, USA Today, 14 May 2026 Another contributing factor involved complications following harmful events as well as patient falls and injuries. Daniel I. Dorfman, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2026 McCarthy also noticed a huge difference in the quality of Wiseman's individual photos compared to those McCarthy takes on the ground, pointing to the lack of a lunar atmosphere as a contributing factor. Josh Dinner, Space.com, 9 May 2026 Officials say that bright sunlight hindering the driver's vision could be a possible contributing factor. Wcco Staff, CBS News, 9 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for contributing factor

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Cite this Entry

“Contributing factor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contributing%20factor. Accessed 16 May. 2026.

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