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
Her accent has become less pronounced in the wake of the controversy, a change that Hilaria attributed to code-switching. Shania Russell, EW.com, 17 Mar. 2025 Yoon attributes these challenges to post-Covid-19 knock-on effects as well as the Hollywood strikes. Sara Merican, Deadline, 17 Mar. 2025
Noun
The 2025 Sierra Denali Ultimate is eye-catching, comfortable and spacious, while still having the attributes of a standard ½ ton pickup, but the addition of the Denali Ultimate is the wow factor. Marc D Grasso, Hartford Courant, 1 Mar. 2025 Instead, digitize the attributes and documents needed to create customer profiles so they can be leveraged throughout the organization. Alex Ford, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for attribute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attribute
Verb
  • Needless to say, the thinking of OPEC+ ministers is not transparent, but there is a long history of pundits to ascribing the group’s (especially by the Saudis) as being driven by non-economic, political motivations.
    Michael Lynch, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
  • Columbia University Apartheid Divest ascribed the crackdown to outside pressure.
    Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 3 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • This analysis of an innovative AI breakthrough is part of my ongoing Forbes column coverage on the latest in AI, including identifying and explaining various impactful AI complexities (see the link here).
    Lance Eliot, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Furious parents who preferred a school close to home over one that educates its students protested when Levy-David tried to explain her plan.
    Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 15 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • To pick some specific characteristics, no two athletes are going to have identical muscle constructions, bone densities, leg lengths, centres of gravity, tendon strength, foot-size or foot arches.
    Liam Tharme, The Athletic, 23 Mar. 2025
  • Each impart different characteristics due to their distinct wood grain and chemical compositions.
    Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • When Israel and Hamas finally agreed to a cease-fire in January, many outside observers credited the agreement to Donald Trump’s commitment to peace.
    Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 18 Mar. 2025
  • Having succumbed to madness, Hopper’s character worships Kurtz, crediting him as a warrior poet who has enlarged his mind, among other superlatives.
    Paul Fitzgerald, Rolling Stone, 18 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Ukraine’s General Staff denied the allegations, saying in a statement Wednesday that Russia’s claims were part of a broader disinformation campaign aimed at justifying continued hostilities.
    Illia Novikov and Hanna Arhirova, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2025
  • Investors have to balance whether an investment can be justified on the fundamentals of the asset or if distress itself is just one symptom of larger, more existential issues.
    Arman Harutyunyan, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Over-the-air updates and advanced driver assistance features (e.g., Super Cruise available on higher trims).
    Brooke Crothers, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
  • The festival’s diverse lineup included 39 narrative features, 16 documentary features, and 38 short films.
    Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 23 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Indeed, many, but not all, social and behavioral traits work this way.
    Dalton Conley, TIME, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Their goal is to build a comprehensive database that answers many questions about the behavioral and genetic traits of our friendly felines.
    Manuela López Restrepo, NPR, 19 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The requirements for meticulous attribution are spelled out in company policy, which all employees acknowledge and sign.
    Colleen McCain Nelson, Sacramento Bee, 28 Feb. 2025
  • The attribution process was not going to be straightforward.
    Kevin Chroust, Outside Online, 5 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Attribute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attribute. Accessed 30 Mar. 2025.

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