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
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Recent Examples of attributing
The Jets tried to downplay the significance of Hellebuyck’s words, attributing them to normal emotions that follow a playoffs miss.
—
Murat Ates, New York Times, 4 May 2026
Ross defended the decision, pointing to the budget gap and attributing part of the shortfall to the Tarrant Appraisal District delaying new home assessments until next year.
—Sergio Candido, CBS News, 3 May 2026
Anthropomorphism means attributing human characteristics to non-human objects.
—Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
The Only Murders in the Building star previously addressed speculation about changes in her appearance and mannerisms, attributing the differences to her ongoing battle with lupus and her bipolar disorder diagnosis.
—Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 2 Apr. 2026
The petition cited recently enacted or attempted men’s sports program cuts at California Baptist, East Tennessee State and Clemson, attributing them squarely to the policy.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 31 Mar. 2026
Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is in good health and leading the country, an Iranian official said today, attributing his absence from public view to security concerns.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2026
For Koch, the surge of people attributing consciousness to their chatbots is no amusing matter.
—Shai Tubali, Big Think, 27 Mar. 2026
Executives at the energy companies are attributing the success to the legal work of a handful of corporate law firms, including Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, Jackson Walker, Kirkland & Ellis, Baker Botts, Vinson & Elkins and Susman Godfrey.
—Mark Curriden, Dallas Morning News, 27 Mar. 2026
Murat Ates, New York Times, 4 May 2026
Ross defended the decision, pointing to the budget gap and attributing part of the shortfall to the Tarrant Appraisal District delaying new home assessments until next year.
—Sergio Candido, CBS News, 3 May 2026
Anthropomorphism means attributing human characteristics to non-human objects.
—Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
The Only Murders in the Building star previously addressed speculation about changes in her appearance and mannerisms, attributing the differences to her ongoing battle with lupus and her bipolar disorder diagnosis.
—Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 2 Apr. 2026
The petition cited recently enacted or attempted men’s sports program cuts at California Baptist, East Tennessee State and Clemson, attributing them squarely to the policy.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 31 Mar. 2026
Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is in good health and leading the country, an Iranian official said today, attributing his absence from public view to security concerns.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2026
For Koch, the surge of people attributing consciousness to their chatbots is no amusing matter.
—Shai Tubali, Big Think, 27 Mar. 2026
Executives at the energy companies are attributing the success to the legal work of a handful of corporate law firms, including Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, Jackson Walker, Kirkland & Ellis, Baker Botts, Vinson & Elkins and Susman Godfrey.
—Mark Curriden, Dallas Morning News, 27 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attributing
Verb
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The group immediate drew praise on social media for not ascribing the cancellation to anything beyond the most obvious factors.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
4 May 2026
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Wednesday’s verdict in Los Angeles on the ninth day of jury deliberations shows the difficulty of ascribing how much social media is to blame for youths suffering varying degrees of distress.—
Bloomberg,
Bloomberg,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Gianni Infantino tried to defend FIFA’s World Cup ticket prices by explaining American sports to Americans.—
Dan Zaksheske OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
6 May 2026
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Berry later apologized by email to Crocker, Cal-OSHA’s Sacramento District Manager, explaining that an arson and bomb investigator for Cal Fire, Gershom Slonim, had told Voller not to grant the interview.—
Joe Rubin,
Sacbee.com,
6 May 2026
Verb
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Aurora Mayor John Laesch, crediting Villa and local rapid response groups, pointed to recent efforts to come together in response to what’s been going on at the national level.—
Molly Morrow,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
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In the middle of widespread destruction across North Texas, one Wise County man is crediting his neighbors with saving his life.—
Amelia Mugavero,
CBS News,
1 May 2026
Verb
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Quiet-luxury proponents would often speak of frequency of use and cost per wear in justifying a four-figure black wool sweater.—
Marisa Meltzer,
Vanity Fair,
28 Apr. 2026
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Military technology has become more sophisticated, but the minds justifying its use are stuck in the past.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Attributing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attributing. Accessed 10 May. 2026.
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