misattribute

Upper-Intermediate (B2)

IPA: /ˌmɪsəˈtrɪbjuːt/

KK: /ˌmɪsəˈtrɪbjuːt/

transitive verb

Definition

To assign a cause or source to something incorrectly.

Example

Many people misattribute the famous quote to the wrong author.

Tense Forms

Past: misattributed

Past Participle: misattributed

Conversation

Did you hear about that famous quote people keep mixing up?

Yeah, I heard someone misattribute it to the wrong author yesterday.

It’s funny how often that happens with quotes.

Right? People should double-check before they share!

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

misassign

mislabel

miscredit

Antonyms

attribute

assign

credit

Root Explanation

Misattribute → It is formed from "mis-" (meaning wrongly) and "attribute" (from Latin "attribuere", meaning to assign or to give). The word "misattribute" means to wrongly assign or give credit to someone or something.

Memory Tip

Think of 'wrongly' ('mis-') assigning something ('attribute') — that's why misattribute means to give credit incorrectly.

Visually Confused Words