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/inThe coach's positive attitude was a contributing factor to/in the team's success.
Examples of contributing factor in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
His public death certificate listed HIV as a contributing factor.
—
Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 11 Apr. 2026
Studies suggest more than 10% of police calls for service involve individuals experiencing a mental health crisis, and that mental health is a contributing factor in more than 25% of fatal law enforcement encounters.
—Jim Cook, Baltimore Sun, 9 Apr. 2026
The document also listed dementia as a contributing factor to the actress' death.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Apr. 2026
The autopsy attributed Patton’s cause of death to acute bacterial bronchopneumonia complicating an influenza A infection, with methadone use as a contributing factor.
—Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for contributing factor
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Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 11 Apr. 2026
Studies suggest more than 10% of police calls for service involve individuals experiencing a mental health crisis, and that mental health is a contributing factor in more than 25% of fatal law enforcement encounters.
—Jim Cook, Baltimore Sun, 9 Apr. 2026
The document also listed dementia as a contributing factor to the actress' death.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Apr. 2026
The autopsy attributed Patton’s cause of death to acute bacterial bronchopneumonia complicating an influenza A infection, with methadone use as a contributing factor.
—Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for contributing factor
Cite this Entry
“Contributing factor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contributing%20factor. Accessed 20 Apr. 2026.
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