1
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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2
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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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
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Recent Examples of attributes
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Time, 10 Jan. 2026
The bond agreement attributes that confidentiality to a Kansas state statue specifically designed for STAR bond projects involving a major professional sports franchise.
—Sofi Zeman, Kansas City Star, 8 Jan. 2026
The company recently celebrated a decade of service, and Piette attributes some of that longevity to the fact that the entrepreneurship cycle is typically longer in the health care industry than in other verticals.
—Elizabeth Green, AJC.com, 8 Jan. 2026
Trump attributes the bruising to his aspirin consumption, according to the Journal, and his doctors have encouraged a lower dose.
—Zac Anderson, USA Today, 1 Jan. 2026
Certain installments cover a more ambitious time span, which the host attributes to the gap between seasons.
—Benjamin Cannon, The Atlantic, 23 Dec. 2025
Avdoo attributes the early momentum to the trust the firm built with brokers on previous developments.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 22 Dec. 2025
Robertson attributes many of Visit Cincy’s wins in the last few years to Calvert.
—Gillian Stawiszynski, Cincinnati Enquirer, 19 Dec. 2025
However, if the airline attributes the interruption to a common carrier issue, your policy may reimburse you for non-refundable expenses, like hotel rooms or tours.
—Liz Knueven, CNBC, 7 Nov. 2025
K. R. Callaway, Scientific American, 23 Jan. 2026
But concerns about private credit — which tend to come from the sector’s competitors in public debt — are understandable given its attributes.
—Hugh Son, CNBC, 23 Jan. 2026
That said, these attributes had their limits.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 22 Jan. 2026
Sporting the Lululemon logo became a status symbol, owing to its performance attributes, fashion-forward styling and premium pricing—leggings start at about $100.
—Pamela N. Danziger, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Pinterest sought a color that is fun, energizing, and cheerful, and Persimmon rolls all those attributes into one playful shade.
—Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Jan. 2026
Ellis focused largely on King’s legacy, emphasizing the importance of mentorship and embodying the attributes King had when working to improve conditions for Black people and to enact civil rights protections.
—Raisa Habersham, Miami Herald, 19 Jan. 2026
That requires attributes that stuff models won’t always capture.
—Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2026
Mahon ran Channel 4 for eight years and is seen as a savvy political and commercial operator, who is sure-footed under scrutiny — all attributes that would serve her well in the hellfire moments that often come with running the BBC.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 9 Jan. 2026
Verb
Vedic astrology, too, attributes personalities to planets and speaks of the connection between the macrocosm and the microcosm.
—Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Time, 10 Jan. 2026
The bond agreement attributes that confidentiality to a Kansas state statue specifically designed for STAR bond projects involving a major professional sports franchise.
—Sofi Zeman, Kansas City Star, 8 Jan. 2026
The company recently celebrated a decade of service, and Piette attributes some of that longevity to the fact that the entrepreneurship cycle is typically longer in the health care industry than in other verticals.
—Elizabeth Green, AJC.com, 8 Jan. 2026
Trump attributes the bruising to his aspirin consumption, according to the Journal, and his doctors have encouraged a lower dose.
—Zac Anderson, USA Today, 1 Jan. 2026
Certain installments cover a more ambitious time span, which the host attributes to the gap between seasons.
—Benjamin Cannon, The Atlantic, 23 Dec. 2025
Avdoo attributes the early momentum to the trust the firm built with brokers on previous developments.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 22 Dec. 2025
Robertson attributes many of Visit Cincy’s wins in the last few years to Calvert.
—Gillian Stawiszynski, Cincinnati Enquirer, 19 Dec. 2025
However, if the airline attributes the interruption to a common carrier issue, your policy may reimburse you for non-refundable expenses, like hotel rooms or tours.
—Liz Knueven, CNBC, 7 Nov. 2025
Noun
Its large brain and flat face—attributes found in today’s humans—have long set the species apart from earlier hominins such as Australopithecus africanus.
—K. R. Callaway, Scientific American, 23 Jan. 2026
But concerns about private credit — which tend to come from the sector’s competitors in public debt — are understandable given its attributes.
—Hugh Son, CNBC, 23 Jan. 2026
That said, these attributes had their limits.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 22 Jan. 2026
Sporting the Lululemon logo became a status symbol, owing to its performance attributes, fashion-forward styling and premium pricing—leggings start at about $100.
—Pamela N. Danziger, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Pinterest sought a color that is fun, energizing, and cheerful, and Persimmon rolls all those attributes into one playful shade.
—Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Jan. 2026
Ellis focused largely on King’s legacy, emphasizing the importance of mentorship and embodying the attributes King had when working to improve conditions for Black people and to enact civil rights protections.
—Raisa Habersham, Miami Herald, 19 Jan. 2026
That requires attributes that stuff models won’t always capture.
—Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2026
Mahon ran Channel 4 for eight years and is seen as a savvy political and commercial operator, who is sure-footed under scrutiny — all attributes that would serve her well in the hellfire moments that often come with running the BBC.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 9 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attributes
Verb
-
This breakup analysis ascribes no value to the companies being under the same corporate parent.—
Peter Cohan,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Accidental ingestion is safe for healthy adults, says Wang, who explains that the hard outer coating of citrus seeds prevents the release of potential toxins, allowing the seeds to pass through the body undigested.—
Stacey Lastoe,
Southern Living,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Carmi explains that progress was not linear for him, but the journey still feels well worth the challenges.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Described as independent, intellectually curious and socially conscious, these characteristics align closely with traits psychologists study under the umbrellas of openness to experience, individualism and humanitarian concern.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
-
The company says the system incorporates high-resolution, wraparound sensors designed to detect force, contact direction, object edges, and surface characteristics.—
Daniel Fusch,
USA Today,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
King credits her ability to be supportive of the kids and mothers in her ethos to her decision to remain child-free.—
Ashley Simpo,
Parents,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Doan credits their swift success to his cofounder’s knack for parlaying Vietnam’s thousand-year heritage in textile arts and crafts into propositions with a modern sensibility.—
Lily Templeton,
Footwear News,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
None of this would matter if not for the feeling that something is being lost in this process — top-level K-pop sacrificing its signature qualities for the sake of broader acceptance.—
Sheldon Pearce,
NPR,
29 Jan. 2026
-
That’s on top of the same blend of delightful qualities as its less-powerful siblings and still can be had well-equipped for under $150,000.—
Erik Shilling,
Robb Report,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Järnkrok is an undersized forward who doesn’t play with any physicality — not exactly traits generally prized by Berube.—
Harman Dayal,
New York Times,
30 Jan. 2026
-
That was one of the traits that stood out to the Chicago White Sox.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Adjustable Typing Angles Other features on the NODE 100 include a set of flip-out and adjustable feet that offer a choice of three different typing angles, ranging from 6 to 12 degree for a more ergonomic and comfortable typing position.—
Mark Sparrow,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
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As with Eudoxus, the angle of the moon and sun will cast sections of the Aristoteles Crater into shadow, highlighting the broken terrain bordering its central basin plain, upon which a collection of hill-like features reside.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
25 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
This post was corrected on 21 January 2021 to clarify attributions.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
12 Jan. 2021
Cite this Entry
“Attributes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attributes. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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