attribute (something) to (someone or something)
idiom
1
: to say that (something) is because of (someone or something)
He attributes his success to his coach.
His doctor attributes his health problems to a poor diet and a lack of exercise.
2
: to think of (something) as being a quality of (someone or something)
The study suggests that it is a mistake to attribute adult reasoning to children.
Is it right to attribute complex emotions to animals?
She attributed some importance to the research.
3
: to think of (something) as being made or created by (someone)
The poem is usually attributed to Shakespeare, but some scholars doubt that he wrote it.
Examples of attribute (something) to (someone or something) in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Trust Paradox Organizational agility—the ability to respond quickly and effectively to changing conditions—has moved from a desirable attribute to an essential survival skill.
—
Nate Bennett, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
That’s again, current to today’s world and an attribute to Taylor and the way that he’s scripted it.
—Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 30 Mar. 2025
Overall, however, new active listings between January and February dipped for the first time in the last five years, in a decline that experts attribute to the current volatility in the financial markets and uncertainty over the U.S. economy.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 19 Mar. 2025
According to Zillow, there were 32% more homes for sale in L.A. County than in February 2024, which experts attribute to existing homeowners who increasingly want to move rather than hold on to cheap mortgages acquired during the pandemic.
—Andrew Khouri, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for attribute (something) to (someone or something)
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Nate Bennett, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
That’s again, current to today’s world and an attribute to Taylor and the way that he’s scripted it.
—Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 30 Mar. 2025
Overall, however, new active listings between January and February dipped for the first time in the last five years, in a decline that experts attribute to the current volatility in the financial markets and uncertainty over the U.S. economy.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 19 Mar. 2025
According to Zillow, there were 32% more homes for sale in L.A. County than in February 2024, which experts attribute to existing homeowners who increasingly want to move rather than hold on to cheap mortgages acquired during the pandemic.
—Andrew Khouri, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for attribute (something) to (someone or something)
Cite this Entry
“Attribute (something) to (someone or something).” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/attribute%20%28something%29%20to%20%28someone%20or%20something%29. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.
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