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

Recent Examples on the Web

During the investigation, the person who reported the hiker missing told law enforcement their medical history may have been a contributing factor, according to state police. — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 3 Nov. 2026

The controversial River Walk housing project, planned for an area roughly two miles northwest of downtown Riverbank, was a contributing factor to the measure's existence. — CBS News, 3 Nov. 2026

David Pedro Sopys, 46, had died three days earlier from hyperthermia, with drug intoxication being a contributing factor. — Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 1 Nov. 2026

No mechanical failure, operational error, or other contributing factor has been identified. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2026

Rhymes for contributing factor

• acter
• actor
• tractor
• attractor
• cofactor
• compactor
• contactor
• contractor
• distractor
• extractor
• impactor
• protractor