Thesaurus results for ATTRIBUTES

attributes 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of attribute

as in ascribes

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

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as in explains

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

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attributes

2 of 2

noun

plural of attribute

as in characteristics

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

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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 attributes

Verb

Rather than relying on shrinking transistor dimensions, Huawei attributes the gains to its LogicFolding architecture, which reorganizes the physical layout of logic circuits to improve signal movement across the chip. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 8 July 2026 The Police Department attributes the increase in citations to the use of the drone program. — Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026 The Foundation attributes the stagnation in Millennial incomes directly to the timing of recession entry. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 3 July 2026 The Federal Reserve attributes much of the gap to a capital stock the United States renews faster than anyone else, and the IMF to European firms that stay too small and invest too little to reach the frontier. — Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026 Engel attributes the retention to the bonds built at the residency. — Kansas City Star, 2 July 2026 Palestra’s versatility is one of his standout attributes. — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 27 June 2026 Andrabi attributes Democratic failure to Harris’ uninspiring centrism, and there were certainly people who declined to vote for her out of disgust with Biden’s unstinting support for Israel. — Michelle Goldberg, Mercury News, 27 June 2026 Bain attributes this trend to an appetite for self-expression over status-signaling goods. — Joe Bobowicz, Vogue, 25 June 2026

Noun

These very same attributes are needed for communications leaders who want to help their organizations grow and drive value. — Alice Ferreira, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026 There are loft-like attributes to them, and also the feeling of living in a penthouse. — Deborah Gimelson, Architectural Digest, 3 July 2026 As a 6-foot-6 lefty who can follow a game plan, Peterson has several of the attributes that the Cubs typically look for. — Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 1 July 2026 Create Layers Gardens in shade often rely less on color and more on other attributes to please the eye. — Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 June 2026 While a kit’s physical attributes are important for athletes, its appearance is just as significant for fans who sport the jerseys and want to feel connected to their team. — Claire Rush, Fortune, 28 June 2026 While a kit’s physical attributes are important for athletes, its appearance is just as significant for fans who sport the jerseys and want to feel connected to their team. — ABC News, 26 June 2026 Students who didn’t fall in love showed the opposite trend a shrinking list of attributes, suggesting a loss of self-esteem. — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 25 June 2026 Davis points out that the mansion's unique attributes presented a tricky subject for the cover's artists. — Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 25 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for attributes

Verb

In line with the science of his time, which said that lunar craters were volcanic, Verne ascribes his flickering light to an eruption.

— Neil Oseman, Space.com, 14 June 2026
Meanwhile, Brewer ascribes Starbucks’ success in Italy, where even the average person is a coffee connoisseur, to offering people, especially young people, a place to relax and enjoy a coffee.

— Phil Wahba, Fortune, 29 Jan. 2026

Definition of ascribes

Verb

Sprouse explains that Wade is a British television presenter who hosts shows about aquatic animals with names like Dark Waters, Mighty Rivers, and River Monsters.

— Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 7 July 2026
Creatine is a natural compound that your body produces and uses for energy, Basbaum explains.

— Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 7 July 2026

Definition of explains

Noun

The growth in private credit AUM has attracted capital from a broader range of investors who may not fully appreciate the distinctive risk characteristics of the asset class.

— Jason Kirsch, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
Doubling Atlanta for Savannah was the primary challenge for production designer Jamie Walker McCall, who quickly realized the two cities were very different in their physical characteristics.

— Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 10 July 2026

Definition of characteristics

Verb

Dawkins, 62, credits his coaching staff for helping spot players that could help the Knights as well as preparing them for the rigors of a challenging 18-game conference schedule.

— Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 July 2026
Singleton credits Jane and Hugh McColl for helping secure the site.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 9 July 2026

Definition of credits

Noun

But his centre-forward qualities extend beyond pure physical strength, with Merino possessing genuine striker instincts, movement and anticipation.

— Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 11 July 2026
Schools may soon be the only institution capable of developing these qualities consistently and at scale.

— Dan Fitzpatrick, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026

Definition of qualities

Noun

But horns are actually important safety features and, when used properly, can also help keep traffic moving.

— Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 12 July 2026
Hackman Capital’s plan to recoup its investment included continuing to operate Television City as a studio for rent while adding new revenue-generating features.

— Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026

Definition of features

Noun

The work has bounced between several attributions over the years before scholar Giuseppe Porzio identified it as a painting by Glielmo, giving bidders a fresh reason to take notice.

— Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 3 June 2026
Political discussions on social media are often dominated by competing attributions of more and more insidious motives to people on the other side.

— Mark Schroeder, The Conversation, 20 Feb. 2026

Definition of attributions

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attributed

attributes

attributing

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“Attributes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attributes. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of attributes

verb

noun

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