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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of attribute

Verb

The 34 shoes found at the Magna fort, however, are in worse condition than those retrieved from Vindolanda decades ago — a problem Frame attributes to the changing climate. —Kameryn Griesser, CNN Money, 12 July 2025

The latest shift is largely attributed to an attitude change among Republicans, 64% of whom now view immigration as a good thing, up from 39% in 2024. —Brendan Rascius july 11, Miami Herald, 11 July 2025

Noun

Politeness and kindness are attributes that parents want to reinforce and encourage in their children. —Lauryn Higgins, Parents, 7 July 2025

At the same time, as someone famously said, ‘there’s no compression algorithm for experience, and experience and sound judgement are not intrinsically an attribute of generative AI, which at best is 4 years old and still undergoing rapid evolution. —Marco Argenti, Fortune, 3 July 2025