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
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
Campbell, 22, apologized Tuesday, attributing his unavailability to emotions after the loss.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 10 Feb. 2026
The singer denied the claims, attributing the issue to a technical problem with audio and video synchronization.
—Bebe Hodges, Cincinnati Enquirer, 10 Feb. 2026
Some Republicans, including Senator Tim Scott, called for the post to be removed, though the White House’s initial framing treated the matter as a misunderstanding rather than intentional misconduct, later attributing it to a mistake by a staffer after initially defending it as a meme.
—Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
Public and private market investors have indiscriminately been attributing huge premiums to AI companies, and the party continues — the music is still playing and people are still dancing.
—Mikael Johnsson, Fortune, 6 Feb. 2026
Net income fell 27 percent though, to $175 million from $241 million last year, with the company attributing the drop in exchange rates on debt and loans.
—Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 5 Feb. 2026
This is the smallest decline in three years, with IATA attributing it to a more normal supply-demand balance as stronger yields of the Covid-19 pandemic and fallout continue to taper.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 30 Jan. 2026
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
Campbell, 22, apologized Tuesday, attributing his unavailability to emotions after the loss.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 10 Feb. 2026
The singer denied the claims, attributing the issue to a technical problem with audio and video synchronization.
—Bebe Hodges, Cincinnati Enquirer, 10 Feb. 2026
Some Republicans, including Senator Tim Scott, called for the post to be removed, though the White House’s initial framing treated the matter as a misunderstanding rather than intentional misconduct, later attributing it to a mistake by a staffer after initially defending it as a meme.
—Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
Public and private market investors have indiscriminately been attributing huge premiums to AI companies, and the party continues — the music is still playing and people are still dancing.
—Mikael Johnsson, Fortune, 6 Feb. 2026
Net income fell 27 percent though, to $175 million from $241 million last year, with the company attributing the drop in exchange rates on debt and loans.
—Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 5 Feb. 2026
This is the smallest decline in three years, with IATA attributing it to a more normal supply-demand balance as stronger yields of the Covid-19 pandemic and fallout continue to taper.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 30 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attributing
Verb
-
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
-
Perardi emailed a photo explaining that it had been given to him as collateral.—
Matthew Bremner,
Rolling Stone,
11 Feb. 2026
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Several board members cited the legal outcome in explaining their votes against Ben Gamla.—
Grace Gilson,
Sun Sentinel,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Ivy Queen Reggaeton icon and pioneer Ivy Queen has performed with Bad Bunny on multiple occasions, with the rapper crediting the Queen of Reggaeton as a major inspiration.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA Today,
8 Feb. 2026
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Todd Lyons, the acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement who has also seen his authority diminish under Noem, was there too, crediting her and the president.—
Nick Miroff,
The Atlantic,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Every department should be submitting regular reports justifying expenses, if not their own continued existence.—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
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There were outings when Flaherty looked every bit the best version of himself, justifying the Detroit Tigers’ decision to reunite with him after trading him at the 2024 deadline.—
Cody Stavenhagen,
New York Times,
14 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Attributing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attributing. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
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