Synonyms of ascribe

ascribe

verb

ə-ˈskrīb 

as in to attribute

to explain (something) as being the result of something else

ascribed their stunning military victory to good intelligence beforehand

Synonyms & Similar Words

• attribute
• impute
• credit
• blame
• refer
• lay
• accredit
• assign
• put down
• chalk up
• attach
• connect
• link
• pin (on)
• impute (to)
• associate
• charge
• father (on)

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of ascribe are assign, attribute, credit, and impute. While all these words mean "to lay something to the account of a person or thing," ascribe suggests an inferring or conjecturing of cause, quality, authorship.

forged paintings formerly ascribed to masters

When could assign be used to replace ascribe?

The words assign and ascribe are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, assign implies ascribing with certainty or after deliberation.

assigned the bones to the Cretaceous period

How is attribute related to other words for ascribe?

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 ascribe?

Although the words credit and ascribe have much in common, 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

Where would impute be a reasonable alternative to ascribe?

While the synonyms impute and ascribe are close in meaning, impute suggests ascribing something that brings discredit by way of accusation or blame.

tried to impute sinister motives to my actions

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of ascribe

Some conservative Christian stay-at-home moms homeschool their children, and some don’t, Du Mez noted, while some Mormon families may ascribe to tradwife-style values but hold very different religious beliefs from evangelicals or Catholics. —Anna North, Vox, 27 Feb. 2025

Some Democratic officials ascribed the party’s hesitation and confusion in part to a lack of clarity from their voters. —Reid J. Epstein, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2025

Argentines have become experts at ascribing outsized importance to their country and its socio-cultural figures, from football players to politicians. —Agustino Fontevecchia, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025

There are four quadrants, ranges to ascribe value to a game played, tying in with the NET to sort out the level of competition. —Mark Schindler, The Athletic, 21 Feb. 2025