Definition

To attribute or assign a quality, fault, or responsibility to someone or something.

Example

The teacher imputed the student's poor grades to a lack of effort.

Tense Forms

Conversation

Did you see how everyone imputed the team's loss to the referee's decision?

Yeah, it seemed like an easy way to blame someone else.

I think people often impute failures to outside factors instead of looking at the real issues.

True, sometimes it's just easier to point fingers than to accept responsibility.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Impute is formed from "in-" (meaning into) and "putare" (meaning to reckon or consider). The word means to attribute or assign a quality or responsibility to someone or something, as if placing it into their account.

Memory Tip

Think of 'placing' ('putare') something 'into' ('in-') someone's responsibility — that's why impute means to attribute a quality or blame.

Visually Confused Words