contributing factor
noun
: something that helps cause a result
According to the police report of the accident, excessive speed was a contributing factor.
—often + to/inThe coach's positive attitude was a contributing factor to/in the team's success.
Examples of contributing factor in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The 9/11 Commission later identified the communication failures as a contributing factor in the loss of first responder lives that day.
—
Mariam Sorond,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2026
Leyton, citing an autopsy, told WNEM that Casper O'Brien died of a heart muscle disease, with morbid obesity being a contributing factor.
—
Nick Lentz,
CBS News,
27 June 2026
An autopsy found the cause of death was dilated cardiomyopathy, a disease of the heart muscle that can lead to heart failure, with morbid obesity listed as a contributing factor, according to prosecutors.
—
Anthony Thompson,
USA Today,
27 June 2026
Perhaps another contributing factor to his success is the family of book sellers that Weinstein comes from.
—
Daily News,
19 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for contributing factor
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Mariam Sorond,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2026
Leyton, citing an autopsy, told WNEM that Casper O'Brien died of a heart muscle disease, with morbid obesity being a contributing factor.
—
Nick Lentz,
CBS News,
27 June 2026
An autopsy found the cause of death was dilated cardiomyopathy, a disease of the heart muscle that can lead to heart failure, with morbid obesity listed as a contributing factor, according to prosecutors.
—
Anthony Thompson,
USA Today,
27 June 2026
Perhaps another contributing factor to his success is the family of book sellers that Weinstein comes from.
—
Daily News,
19 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for contributing factor
Cite this Entry
“Contributing factor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contributing%20factor. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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