Synonyms of attribute

attribute 1 of 2

verb

ə-ˈtri-ˌbyüt 

1

as in to ascribe

to explain (something) as being the result of something else

attributed the quick rescue to the well-trained police force

Synonyms & Similar Words

• ascribe
• credit
• blame
• impute
• link
• refer
• assign
• put down
• lay
• connect
• chalk up
• attach
• accredit
• pin (on)
• impute (to)
• associate
• father (on)
• charge

2

as in to explain

to give the reason for or cause of

a psychotherapist who's a little too quick to attribute every emotional problem or character defect to an unhappy childhood

Synonyms & Similar Words

• explain
• justify
• account (for)
• rationalize
• explain away
• excuse
• forgive
• condone
• vindicate
• absolve
• exonerate
• exculpate
• acquit

attribute

2 of 2

noun

ˈa-trə-ˌbyüt 

as in characteristic

something that sets apart an individual from others of the same kind

list the attributes of a mammal

Synonyms & Similar Words

• characteristic
• feature
• trait
• attribution
• quality
• criterion
• property
• hallmark
• mark
• marker
• specific
• character
• peculiarity
• stamp
• symbol
• affection
• fingerprint
• particularity
• touch
• note
• indication
• point
• sign
• differentia
• diagnostic
• token
• virtue
• emblem
• badge
• merit
• grace
• charm
• excellence
• uniqueness
• eccentricity
• individuality
• singularity
• quirk
• idiosyncrasy
• oddity

Synonym Chooser

How is the word attribute different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of attribute are ascribe, assign, credit, and impute. While all these words mean "to lay something to the account of a person or thing," attribute suggests less tentativeness than ascribe, less definiteness than assign.

attributed to Rembrandt but possibly done by an associate

When might ascribe be a better fit than attribute?

The words ascribe and attribute are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, ascribe suggests an inferring or conjecturing of cause, quality, authorship.

forged paintings formerly ascribed to masters

In what contexts can assign take the place of attribute?

While in some cases nearly identical to attribute, assign implies ascribing with certainty or after deliberation.

assigned the bones to the Cretaceous period

Where would credit be a reasonable alternative to attribute?

The words credit and attribute can be used in similar contexts, but credit implies ascribing a thing or especially an action to a person or other thing as its agent, source, or explanation.

credited his teammates for his success

When is impute a more appropriate choice than attribute?

Although the words impute and attribute have much in common, impute suggests ascribing something that brings discredit by way of accusation or blame.

tried to impute sinister motives to my actions

How is the word attribute different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of attribute are ascribe, assign, credit, and impute. While all these words mean "to lay something to the account of a person or thing," attribute suggests less tentativeness than ascribe, less definiteness than assign.

attributed to Rembrandt but possibly done by an associate

When might ascribe be a better fit than attribute?

The words ascribe and attribute are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, ascribe suggests an inferring or conjecturing of cause, quality, authorship.

forged paintings formerly ascribed to masters

In what contexts can assign take the place of attribute?

While in some cases nearly identical to attribute, assign implies ascribing with certainty or after deliberation.

assigned the bones to the Cretaceous period

Where would credit be a reasonable alternative to attribute?

The words credit and attribute can be used in similar contexts, but credit implies ascribing a thing or especially an action to a person or other thing as its agent, source, or explanation.

credited his teammates for his success

When is impute a more appropriate choice than attribute?

Although the words impute and attribute have much in common, impute suggests ascribing something that brings discredit by way of accusation or blame.

tried to impute sinister motives to my actions

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of attribute

Verb

The company attributed the closure to Six Flags' ongoing efforts to restructure and address ongoing debt. —Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 9 Apr. 2026

Although based on the Sanskrit Ramayana attributed to Valmiki, Tulsidas’s work is a theological reenvisioning in which Rama appears throughout as the supreme god rather than as a heroic human figure. —Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Apr. 2026

Noun

That decade started with the 1973 oil embargo by Arab countries who were members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, or OPEC, and ended with the 1979 Iranian Revolution, which many attribute to helping end Jimmy Carter's presidency. —Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2026

Hints to motivations can be found by looking at California’s net out-migration stats by state and comparing those relocations with rankings of states for various attributes. —Jeff Goertzen, Oc Register, 4 Apr. 2026