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attribute

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of attribute

something that sets apart an individual from others of the same kind
  • list the attributes of a mammal
Synonyms of attribute

affection, attribution, character, characteristic, criterion, diagnostic, differentia, feature, fingerprint, hallmark, mark, marker, note, particularity, peculiarity, point, property, quality, specific, stamp, touch, trait
Words Related to attribute

badge, indication, sign

emblem, symbol, token

charm, grace

excellence, merit, virtue

eccentricity, idiosyncrasy, oddity, quirk

individuality, singularity, uniqueness

Synonym Discussion of attribute

quality, property, character, attribute mean an intelligible feature by which a thing may be identified. quality is a general term applicable to any trait or characteristic whether individual or generic.
    • material with a silky quality
property implies a characteristic that belongs to a thing's essential nature and may be used to describe a type or species.
    • the property of not conducting heat
character applies to a peculiar and distinctive quality of a thing or a class.
    • remarks of an unseemly character
attribute implies a quality ascribed to a thing or a being.
    • the attributes of a military hero

attribute

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of attribute

1 to explain (something) as being the result of something else
  • attributed the quick rescue to the well-trained police force
Synonyms of attribute

accredit, ascribe, chalk up, credit, impute, lay, put down
Words Related to attribute

blame, charge, father (on), impute (to), pin (on)

assign, refer

associate, attach, connect, link
2 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 of attribute

account (for), explain, explain away, rationalize
Words Related to attribute

condone, excuse, forgive, justify

absolve, acquit, exculpate, exonerate, vindicate

Synonym Discussion of attribute

ascribe, attribute, assign, impute, credit mean to lay something to the account of a person or thing. ascribe suggests an inferring or conjecturing of cause, quality, authorship.
    • forged paintings formerly ascribed to masters
attribute suggests less tentativeness than ascribe, less definiteness than assign.
    • attributed to Rembrandt but possibly done by an associate
assign implies ascribing with certainty or after deliberation.
    • assigned the bones to the Cretaceous period
impute suggests ascribing something that brings discredit by way of accusation or blame.
    • tried to impute sinister motives to my actions
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

Learn More about attribute

  1. See words that rhyme with attribute Dictionary: Definition of attribute Spanish Central: Translation of attribute Nglish: Translation of attribute for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of attribute for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about attribute

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