Synonyms of attribute

attribute 1 of 2

verb

ə-ˈtri-ˌbyüt 

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

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

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

• explain
• justify
• account (for)
• rationalize
• explain away
• excuse
• forgive
• condone
• vindicate
• absolve
• exonerate
• exculpate
• acquit

attribute

2 of 2

noun

ˈa-trə-ˌbyüt 

as in characteristic

something that sets apart an individual from others of the same kind

list the attributes of a mammal

Synonyms & Similar Words

• characteristic
• feature
• trait
• attribution
• quality
• criterion
• property
• hallmark
• mark
• marker
• specific
• character
• peculiarity
• stamp
• symbol
• affection
• fingerprint
• particularity
• touch
• note
• indication
• point
• sign
• differentia
• diagnostic
• token
• virtue
• emblem
• badge
• merit
• grace
• charm
• excellence
• uniqueness
• eccentricity
• individuality
• singularity
• quirk
• idiosyncrasy
• oddity

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

Recent Examples of attribute

Verb

Fact check: No, Elon Musk didn't post 'cool' image of himself behind Oval Office desk The X post attributed to her in the Feb. 16 Facebook post, however, is a fabrication. —Joedy McCreary, USA TODAY, 20 Feb. 2025

Almost half of those line-item savings could be attributed to a single $8 billion contract for the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. —Aatish Bhatia, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2025

Noun

With that in mind, furniture pieces with missing cushions, wobbly parts, or other questionable attributes might be better to pass on. —Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 9 Feb. 2025

The plans put in place to find a positive way forward included the following: The Merrillville Advantage: A proactive approach of sharing the many positive attributes that a diverse student body could bring to the community instead of having an atmosphere of fear or dread. —Dr. Tony Lux, Chicago Tribune, 8 Feb. 2025