misattribute

verb

mis·​at·​trib·​ute ˌmis-ə-ˈtri-ˌbyüt 

-byət

misattributed; misattributing

transitive verb

: to incorrectly indicate the cause, origin, or creator of (something) : to attribute wrongly

There's still dispute about this Canadian species, which was originally misattributed to Connecticut.

—Kristin Nord

It also suggests that some of the more elegant clocks traditionally assigned to Concord clockmakers have been misattributed.

—Kenneth Joel Zogry

Examples of misattribute in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

GPTZero investigation published 14 May 2026 found 16 of 27 citations fabricated, misattributed, or broken, including references to Forbes, McKinsey, Gartner, TechCrunch, and WIRED. — Ted Ladd, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Using real researchers’ names The AI company’s review of the Burke Institute’s articles found 34 of 36 were real academic articles misattributed to other authors. — Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026

These symptoms are often misattributed to normal aging or stress. — Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 30 July 2026

Part of Devtov’s concerns include that the public will falsely believe there is a connection between the two developers and misattribute their projects to each other. — Alexandra Phelps july 15, Miami Herald, 15 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1851, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for misattribute

• irresolute
• reconstitute
• absolute
• arrowroot
• attribute
• bitterroot
• constitute
• convolute
• destitute
• disrepute
• dissolute
• execute