verb 1the government contributed a million pounds to the fund GIVE , donate, give/make a donation of, put up, come up with, subscribe, hand out, grant, bestow, present, gift, accord; provide, supply, furnish; informal chip in, pitch in, fork out, dish out, shell out, cough up; Brit. informal stump up; N. Amer. informal kick in, ante up, pony up.
2the colour scheme contributes a pervading sense of calm and peacefulness to the room IMPART , lend, add, give, confer.
3an article contributed by Dr Clouson SUPPLY , provide, submit; write, compose, compile.
4evidence suggests that a minimum wage would contribute to economic recovery PLAY A PART IN , be instrumental in, be a factor in, be partly responsible for, have a hand in, be conducive to, make for, lead to, cause, give rise to; help, promote, advance, further, forward, oil the wheels of, open the door for, add to; formal conduce to. -opposite(s): STAND IN THE WAY OF.