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

Autism diagnoses have increased steadily in the past couple of decades, a trend many scientists attribute to a change in environmental factors, a broadening of criteria for the diagnosis and a wider awareness about the condition. —Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 31 Oct. 2024

In 2024 alone, sales has seen a 40% increase, which the cofounders attribute to their strategy of emphasizing brand awareness. —Angela Lei, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2024

The United States saw an 18.1% increase in homelessness this year, which federal officials attribute to a rising number of asylum seekers, lack of affordable housing and natural disasters. —Alexandra Koch, Fox News, 27 Dec. 2024

The campaign, which analysts attribute to a financially motivated threat actor in China called SilkSpecter, uses fake Black Friday offers to lure prospective victims. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 29 Nov. 2024