1
as in to attribute
to explain (something) as being the result of something else
let's chalk up her weird behavior to simple nervousness
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in to achieve
to obtain (as a goal) through effort
chalked up a record in singles tennis that is likely to stand for a long time
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of chalk up
Instead, Lifton chalked up the invocation of critical materials in Venezuela to political naivete.
—
Jared Perlo, NBC news, 17 Jan. 2026
Per Nielsen, last weekend’s NFL deliveries were up 13% versus the 2025 numbers, and while some of that improvement may be chalked up to the recent upgrade in its ratings-gathering methodology, there’s no reason to believe the magic will suddenly wear off during the divisional round.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 16 Jan. 2026
Reggie Stevens scored 15 points, while Noah Corro chalked up seven points and seven rebounds.
—Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 15 Jan. 2026
As a result, the stock’s drop can be chalked up to the broader market’s down session on Wednesday.
—Paulina Likos, CNBC, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for chalk up
Jared Perlo, NBC news, 17 Jan. 2026
Per Nielsen, last weekend’s NFL deliveries were up 13% versus the 2025 numbers, and while some of that improvement may be chalked up to the recent upgrade in its ratings-gathering methodology, there’s no reason to believe the magic will suddenly wear off during the divisional round.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 16 Jan. 2026
Reggie Stevens scored 15 points, while Noah Corro chalked up seven points and seven rebounds.
—Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 15 Jan. 2026
As a result, the stock’s drop can be chalked up to the broader market’s down session on Wednesday.
—Paulina Likos, CNBC, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for chalk up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chalk up
Verb
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Scattered across the property are midcentury-modern structures—several attributed to Lloyd Wright—designed according to the principles of organic architecture, in which buildings are meant to exist in dialogue with the landscape rather than dominate it.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 Feb. 2026
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The United States attributed that attack to Iran.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Prototype achieves high capacity and industrial-scale metrics At the core of the prototype is a conductive polymer known as poly(benzodifurandione), or PBFDO.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Feb. 2026
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Who in the world has either achieved so much or been beaten up so badly to need to quit at 16?—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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And to dust off some golden-oldie phraseology that fans, friends and media often ascribe to great athletes who’ve made epic falls, Ilia Malinin will be back.—
Steve Buckley,
New York Times,
14 Feb. 2026
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However, the benefits the city has ascribed to data center development have not assuaged concerns about potential environmental harm.—
Devan Patel,
Mercury News,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The American team won the Olympic gold medal on Sunday, the first time in 46 years.—
Seema Mehta,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Feb. 2026
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Including their home win over Chicago before the NBA All-Star break, the 38-19 Celtics have won four straight — all by double digits — and nine of their last 10.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Johnson attained alpine skiing’s highest award with a streaking run down the Cortina downhill track on Sunday, February 9.—
Katherine Cusumano,
Outside,
21 Feb. 2026
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Stevens said that though Jackson is gone, his goals have not yet been attained, and people need to focus on making that happen.—
Ross Guidotti,
CBS News,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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With diesel engines remaining popular among Australian ute buyers and hybrids gaining ground, the company appears to be positioning the KP31 at the intersection of both trends.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
23 Feb. 2026
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Recent polling data indicates Republican candidates have gained competitive ground, with conservative commentator Steve Hilton leading the field at 17% support, followed by Democrat Eric Swalwell and Republican Chad Bianco tied at 14%, suggesting the race structure favors neither party decisively.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
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And despite some changes (like the location), what remains the same is judges making the biggest cuts of the season.—
KiMi Robinson,
USA Today,
24 Feb. 2026
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But for the strides the Bruins made, and Dent’s clutch shot to hold significance, UCLA needs to apply that intensity to all four of its regular-season games, the Big Ten Tournament and into March Madness.—
Aaron Heisen,
Daily News,
24 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Chalk up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chalk%20up. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
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