attribute 1 of 2

1
as in to ascribe
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 to explain
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

attribute

2 of 2

noun

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of attribute are ascribe, assign, credit, and impute. While all these words mean "to lay something to the account of a person or thing," attribute suggests less tentativeness than ascribe, less definiteness than assign.

attributed to Rembrandt but possibly done by an associate

When might ascribe be a better fit than attribute?

The words ascribe and attribute are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, ascribe suggests an inferring or conjecturing of cause, quality, authorship.

forged paintings formerly ascribed to masters

In what contexts can assign take the place of attribute?

While in some cases nearly identical to attribute, assign implies ascribing with certainty or after deliberation.

assigned the bones to the Cretaceous period

Where would credit be a reasonable alternative to attribute?

The words credit and attribute can be used in similar contexts, but 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

When is impute a more appropriate choice than attribute?

Although the words impute and attribute have much in common, impute suggests ascribing something that brings discredit by way of accusation or blame.

tried to impute sinister motives to my actions

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 attribute
Verb
What People Are Saying The South Korean military did not attribute a motive to the North's movement but reaffirmed its readiness. Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025 Forecasters attributed the violent weather to warm temperatures, an unstable atmosphere, strong winds and abundant moisture streaming from the Gulf. Bruce Schreiner and Kristin M. Hall, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2025
Noun
Whereas male social hierarchy has traditionally adhered to physical attributes like sporting prowess, girls find value in the breadth and depth of relationships. Charlie Campbell, Time, 3 Apr. 2025 People who share those attributes will be attracted to you. R. Eric Thomas, Denver Post, 2 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for attribute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attribute
Verb
  • Lu ascribes the game’s longevity to none other than community.
    Julius Miller, Los Angeles Times, 28 Feb. 2025
  • To borrow another logical principle, Hanlon's razor: Don't ascribe to malice that which can be otherwise explained by rank incompetence.
    Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Figure explains this innovative approach.
    Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 16 Mar. 2025
  • It was explained to the passengers that a concentration of plankton had drawn swarms of small fish to the area; the concentration of small fish had attracted larger fish, which devoured the smaller fish; these predators attracted larger predators, to devour them.
    Joyce Carol Oates, The New Yorker, 16 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Overall, the analyst is bullish on EPD stock and views it as a core master limited partnership holding, having both offensive and defensive characteristics.
    TipRanks.com Staff, CNBC, 6 Apr. 2025
  • These are clones of individual grape varieties that have been bred to ensure certain characteristics, such as resistance to specific diseases.
    Tom Mullen, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The Penn State athletic department also credits former Penn State club ice hockey coach Joe Battista, a former school administrator who played a pivotal in securing the original donation from the Pegulas and oversaw the early development of the men’s and women’s D-I programs.
    Eric Jackson, Sportico.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Though Shinn is credited with making the last big discovery, the largest piece of gold unearthed at the property was a 28-pound nugget found early on by an enslaved boy, historians said.
    Simone Jasper, Charlotte Observer, 9 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Reminds [me] also of the aggressors' narratives for justifying many other military interventions, occupations, and annexations in world history.
    Kevin Sabet, Newsweek, 24 Mar. 2025
  • On Monday, seven of the Constitutional Court's eight judges overturned or dismissed Han's impeachment, arguing that accusations against him either did not constitute legal violations or were not severe enough to justify removing him from office.
    Kevin Sabet, Newsweek, 24 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Even at such a low price, this unit is packed with features and performance, including a wide 180 degree viewing angle, sharp 2K video, smart object detection and more.
    K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 4 Apr. 2025
  • With features from Amaria, Arin Ray, Blackway, Cruza, Dylan Sinclair, Isaiah Falls, Karri, Merges, and Sinead Harnett, and production by D’Mile, Budgie, Jordan Manswell, and more, the six-track EP is a sonic blend of R&B and other genres that makes for an decadent listening experience.
    Mya Abraham, VIBE.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Experts debated the connection, but by 2001 paleontologists uncovered early whale ankle bones that possessed traits only seen among artiodactyls.
    Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Apr. 2025
  • In an era of constant change, global complexity and ever-rising expectations, trust has become the defining trait of exceptional leadership.
    Alejandro Bravo, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Build Low-Cost, Top-Of-Funnel Remarketing Audiences Most B2B companies base their PPC solely on last-click attribution in sales-lead campaigns.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
  • The use of random gender attribution for the survey experiment, meanwhile, shows that bias is verifiably a factor in gender gaps.
    Laura Clawson, JSTOR Daily, 4 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Attribute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attribute. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.

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