ASCRIBE, ATTRIBUTE, ASSIGN, IMPUTE, CREDIT

ASCRIBE, ATTRIBUTE, ASSIGN, IMPUTE, CREDIT 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*.

ATTRIBUTE suggests less tentativeness than ASCRIBE, less definiteness than ASSIGN *attributed to Rembrandt but possibly done by an associate*.

ASSIGN implies ascribing with certainty or after deliberation *assigned the bones to the Cretaceous Period*.

IMPUTE suggests ascribing something that brings discredit by way of accusation or blame *tried to impute sinister motives to my actions*.

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*.