as in to attribute
to explain (something) as being the result of something else ascribed their stunning military victory to good intelligence beforehand

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Some common synonyms of ascribe are assign, attribute, credit, and impute. While all these words mean "to lay something to the account of a person or thing," ascribe suggests an inferring or conjecturing of cause, quality, authorship.

forged paintings formerly ascribed to masters

When could assign be used to replace ascribe?

The words assign and ascribe are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, assign implies ascribing with certainty or after deliberation.

assigned the bones to the Cretaceous period

How is attribute related to other words for ascribe?

Attribute suggests less tentativeness than ascribe, less definiteness than assign.

attributed to Rembrandt but possibly done by an associate

When would credit be a good substitute for ascribe?

Although the words credit and ascribe have much in common, 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

Where would impute be a reasonable alternative to ascribe?

While the synonyms impute and ascribe are close in meaning, impute suggests ascribing something that brings discredit by way of accusation or blame.

tried to impute sinister motives to my actions

Examples 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 ascribe The wires came from shell companies in Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and Mauritius and ascribed the payments to the purchase of electronics, according to the news release. Evan Mealins, The Tennessean, 4 Sep. 2024 The list goes on, but one thing these social media sensations appear to have in common is that people seem to like to ascribe humanlike traits and emotions to them. Chad De Guzman, TIME, 27 Dec. 2024 While some of them are ascribed medicinal benefits, more research is needed to evaluate their effects. Nina Foster, JSTOR Daily, 20 Dec. 2024 Let everyone know that good intentions are to be ascribed to all comments. Julie Garel, Baltimore Sun, 27 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for ascribe 

Thesaurus Entries Near ascribe

Cite this Entry

“Ascribe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ascribe. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on ascribe

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