as in to ascribe
to explain (something) as being the result of something else people often impute his silence to unfriendliness and not to the shyness it really represents

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Synonym Chooser

How is the word impute different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of impute are ascribe, assign, attribute, and credit. While all these words mean "to lay something to the account of a person or thing," impute suggests ascribing something that brings discredit by way of accusation or blame.

tried to impute sinister motives to my actions

When can ascribe be used instead of impute?

The synonyms ascribe and impute are sometimes interchangeable, but ascribe suggests an inferring or conjecturing of cause, quality, authorship.

forged paintings formerly ascribed to masters

When is assign a more appropriate choice than impute?

The meanings of assign and impute largely overlap; however, assign implies ascribing with certainty or after deliberation.

assigned the bones to the Cretaceous period

How is attribute related to other words for impute?

Attribute suggests less tentativeness than ascribe, less definiteness than assign.

attributed to Rembrandt but possibly done by an associate

When would credit be a good substitute for impute?

The words credit and impute are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, credit implies ascribing a thing or especially an action to a person or other thing as its agent, source, or explanation.

credited his teammates for his success

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 impute The percent of owners raising and planning to raise prices (and wages) are too high to reach that 2% inflation rate for goods and services whose prices are market determined (not imputed like rent etc.). William Dunkelberg, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025 In a speech delivered Wednesday in Paris, Governor Christopher Waller had a more optimistic take on inflation, saying that imputed, or estimated, prices that feed into inflation data are keeping rates high, while observed prices are showing moderation. Jeff Cox, CNBC, 9 Jan. 2025 For a 1,500 mile flight, for example, only about $400 of income would be imputed under what’s known as the Standard Industry Fare Level (SIFL) rate. Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024 Ascribing higher salaries to paperwork-heavy jobs, such as those of banking and environmental compliance personnel, would impute a considerably higher paperwork burden cost. Clyde Wayne Crews Jr., Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024 See All Example Sentences for impute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impute
Verb
  • As a form bending, multi-disciplinary artist influenced by the Black Arts movement, Williams ascribes art as functional often using his platform to shed light on Cop Cities across the country, critique both American political parties and decry war and genocide.
    Nia Shumake, Essence, 15 May 2025
  • An Instagram account ascribed to Lanez said the rapper was stabbed 14 times — including seven wounds to his back, four to his torso, two to the back of his head and one to his face.
    Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2025
Verb
  • The Education Department reported a 5.5% backlog despite a 62% spike in requests, which the agency attributed to tech upgrades and department-wide training.
    Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 18 May 2025
  • This growth can be attributed to both an increase in ad impressions and a higher average price per advertisement.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Impute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impute. Accessed 22 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on impute

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!