1
as in ascribing
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 explaining
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of attributing
In 2021, San Diego prosecutors unsealed an indictment attributing an explosion of violence in Tijuana to a criminal cell known as Los Cabos, who allegedly acted as a brutal enforcement arm of the CJNG.
—
Alexandra Mendoza, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Feb. 2026
In mid-February, Publishers Weekly reported that a hundred thousand copies of Emily Brontë’s 1847 novel had sold in the first two months of this year, compared with a hundred and eighty thousand total last year, attributing the increase to book clubs and influencers of all stripes embracing it.
—Radhika Jones, New Yorker, 26 Feb. 2026
The price appears to be the neighborhood’s most-expensive lease on record, Serhant’s Marc Riedel tells me, attributing the rate to a dearth of similar inventory.
—Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 24 Feb. 2026
What This Season Tells Us Scientists remain rightly cautious about attributing any single event to climate change.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 20 Feb. 2026
Schmidt used more colorful language to describe Pack, attributing the schism to personality.
—Leo Schwartz, Fortune, 17 Feb. 2026
The Tribune reported the quote without attributing it to a witness, and most scholars doubt it was ever said.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026
Streaming revenue rose to $177 million in the quarter, with the company attributing the gain mainly to price increases.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 11 Feb. 2026
While many members have cited personal reasons for their retirement, like spending more time with family, others have been more direct in attributing their decision at least in part to the heated political environment.
—Jared Gans, The Hill, 10 Feb. 2026
Alexandra Mendoza, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Feb. 2026
In mid-February, Publishers Weekly reported that a hundred thousand copies of Emily Brontë’s 1847 novel had sold in the first two months of this year, compared with a hundred and eighty thousand total last year, attributing the increase to book clubs and influencers of all stripes embracing it.
—Radhika Jones, New Yorker, 26 Feb. 2026
The price appears to be the neighborhood’s most-expensive lease on record, Serhant’s Marc Riedel tells me, attributing the rate to a dearth of similar inventory.
—Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 24 Feb. 2026
What This Season Tells Us Scientists remain rightly cautious about attributing any single event to climate change.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 20 Feb. 2026
Schmidt used more colorful language to describe Pack, attributing the schism to personality.
—Leo Schwartz, Fortune, 17 Feb. 2026
The Tribune reported the quote without attributing it to a witness, and most scholars doubt it was ever said.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026
Streaming revenue rose to $177 million in the quarter, with the company attributing the gain mainly to price increases.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 11 Feb. 2026
While many members have cited personal reasons for their retirement, like spending more time with family, others have been more direct in attributing their decision at least in part to the heated political environment.
—Jared Gans, The Hill, 10 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attributing
Verb
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The actress is cautious in ascribing too much power to her position.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
15 Dec. 2025
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Describing African resistance to slavery as a form of fugitive politics enables us, moreover, to confront accounts that, while acknowledging the reality of the resistance of the enslaved, end up depoliticizing it by ascribing it primarily to private emotions such as fear.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Jupiter in your 3rd House of Discourse backs you up, so a thoughtful chat with a teammate can rally useful support by explaining who does what.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Mar. 2026
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This article is part of a series explaining foreign policy terms commonly used but rarely explained.—
Andrew Latham,
The Conversation,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The agency, along with its public advocate’s office, argued that crediting solar developers at the higher rate would raise bills for customers who don’t have solar, who would still have to shoulder the cost of grid maintenance.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2026
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Another account posted that Jerry Seinfeld has been killed in similar fashion, once again crediting Deadline.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Experts say this rationale is a new way of justifying bringing users’ content back to life.—
Jacqueline Munis,
Fortune,
3 Mar. 2026
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Bonds are supposed to be for capital investments — improvements that will last for years, justifying the long-term cost of financing them.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Attributing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attributing. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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