attribute 1 of 2

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

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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

attribute

2 of 2

noun

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

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of attribute
Verb
The success of the business has been attributed to younger millennials and Gen Z consumers. Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025 This pattern often is attributed to the Sky’s lack of spending in comparison with league giants such as the New York Liberty and Las Vegas Aces. Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 3 Sep. 2025
Noun
Bear in mind, having essentially removed the dazzling raw attributes from his game, Sterling became Guardiola’s go-to attacker in potentially the greatest club side English football has ever seen. Elias Burke, New York Times, 27 Aug. 2025 As cinematic tapestry, Mitevska’s cloistered film does feel cut from the cloth of Calcutta in 1948 and from the Catholic missionary work one attributes to that time. Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 27 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for attribute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attribute
Verb
  • Realistic or not, those are the ages Americans ascribe to some of life’s financial milestones, according to a new survey from Empower, the retirement services provider.
    Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2025
  • Finally, humans’ effectance motivation, the drive to make sense of the world, leads us to ascribe intentions to complex or opaque systems.
    Ron Schmelzer, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Marshall, who had represented the government in hundreds of desegregation cases over five decades, tried to explain that closing the case required a motion by the school district to lift the order, which the Justice Department could support or oppose, and review by a federal judge.
    Peter Elkind, ProPublica, 27 Aug. 2025
  • Elena Kagan says the majority should explain.
    Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Mastantuono, 18, has the characteristics to contribute from a deeper position, but his signing was intended for more attacking areas, as is being seen.
    Mario Cortegana, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Changeability is the unique characteristic of women.
    Clifford Coonan, Variety, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Maria Menounos credits Prenuvo for detecting her stage 2 pancreatic cancer early enough to avoid chemotherapy after doctors couldn’t explain her symptoms.
    Lilian Raji, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
  • So, a $700 Phillies moneyline bet will either result in a large payout or $700 bonus refund credited to your account.
    Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Businesses can and should use catastrophe models themselves to establish baseline risk profiles, stress-test scenarios, quantify protection gaps, and justify resilience investments.
    Felicia Jackson, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Some are too flashy, while others look too plain to justify the price tag.
    Amina Ayoud, Glamour, 3 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The two tablets share a similar design and many specs, while carrying over some features from previous generations.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 4 Sep. 2025
  • But only a small percentage of people who used The Browser Company’s Arc adopted the program’s special features.
    Jordan Novet, CNBC, 4 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • When researchers ramped up RTN activity in otherwise normal mice, the animals developed autism-like traits.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 1 Sep. 2025
  • This includes displaying traits like conscientiousness; being organized, responsible and disciplined.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • And Insights To Shorten Sales Cycles Team collaboration, shared KPIs and accurate revenue attribution across marketing tactics are all critical variables in creating a symbiotic relationship between sales and marketing.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
  • Update: This report has been updated with attribution to court documents regarding Boodarian's Aug. 20 arraignment.
    Raechal Shewfelt, EW.com, 22 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Attribute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attribute. Accessed 6 Sep. 2025.

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