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
Relevance
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of chalk up
And the injuries can, at least partly, be chalked up to bad luck.
—
Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
Additional properties of the Saturnian system that were previously chalked up to coincidence, such as the gap between Rhea and Titan as well as the gap between Hyperion and Iapetus, could be explained by the presence of this one-time moon as well.
—Big Think, 9 Oct. 2025
The group’s operating profit jumped 40 percent in the third quarter, chalked up to an improved customer offering, strict cost controls and better gross margins, against a smaller store footprint and relatively flat sales growth.
—Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 25 Sep. 2025
The explanation for the recent surge in beef prices is complex, but essentially chalks up to an issue of supply and demand.
—Emma Wozniak, USA Today, 25 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for chalk up
Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
Additional properties of the Saturnian system that were previously chalked up to coincidence, such as the gap between Rhea and Titan as well as the gap between Hyperion and Iapetus, could be explained by the presence of this one-time moon as well.
—Big Think, 9 Oct. 2025
The group’s operating profit jumped 40 percent in the third quarter, chalked up to an improved customer offering, strict cost controls and better gross margins, against a smaller store footprint and relatively flat sales growth.
—Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 25 Sep. 2025
The explanation for the recent surge in beef prices is complex, but essentially chalks up to an issue of supply and demand.
—Emma Wozniak, USA Today, 25 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for chalk up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chalk up
Verb
-
Mamdani’s unprecedented ability to dominate the internet has led many to attribute his rise wholly to social media.—
Taylor Lorenz,
HollywoodReporter,
5 Nov. 2025
-
The department attributed the blame for the shutdown on the Democrats.—
Aliss Higham,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
As this brief survey suggests, the patriots’ success in drawing foreign partners into the war was essential to achieving American independence.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Sustainable transformation isn’t achieved by a mandate; instead, it’s driven by leaders who focus on people first.—
Feon Ang,
Fortune,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Another label, Hui Hui, creates pendants made with horse hair, which also ascribe to the nomadic trend, has secured 80 stockists in just two years, a testament to the popularity of the style.—
Lucy Maguire,
Vogue,
30 Oct. 2025
-
The brothers ascribe some of Barb’s staying power to Purser, who was working in a movie theater when the Duffer brothers cast her.—
Eliana Dockterman,
Time,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Cardell Williams completed 8 of 11 passes for 188 yards and two touchdowns to speedster Ernest Campbell as the Hornets won for the sixth time in their last eight outings with two conference games to go.—
Joe Davidson,
Sacbee.com,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Mike Vrabel has breathed life into the New England Patriots, guiding them to a 7-2 start while riding a six-game winning streak despite fielding a roster that still has its fair share of deficiencies.—
Mike Jones,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
If negative emissions technologies can indeed attain consequential scale, should they be pressed into the service of life extension for fossil capital?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Even in attempting a private option, there is a permit necessary in order to fly from here that takes time to attain.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
With the brothers being seven years apart in age, James got his start as an actor first, gaining recognition with his breakthrough role in the TV series Freaks and Geeks from 1999 to 2000, and then for playing Harry Osborn in the Spider-Man trilogy, starring Tobey Maguire.—
Carly Thomas,
HollywoodReporter,
2 Nov. 2025
-
Angelo then turned his sights toward Bolgheri, which had just begun to gain acclaim as the center of the Super Tuscan movement.—
Mike DeSimone,
Robb Report,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
These conditions make travel difficult.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Qianlong took a page from the design of private gardens in southern China to make the layout more compact, and divided the site into four connected courtyards, two of which are currently open to the public, from south to north.—
Fred He,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Chalk up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chalk%20up. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share