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
The president, who was 81 at the time, had a busy travel schedule in the lead up to the debate, and his campaign chalked up his performance to a cold.
—
Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 28 May 2026
Some of the disconnect can be chalked up to taxonomy, as many streaming sports feeds are merely simulcasts of live linear telecasts.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 27 May 2026
The destruction of important files cannot be chalked up to isolated instances of misbehavior or recklessness.
—Amer Matar, The Dial, 26 May 2026
When asked about that, Braiman chalked up the difference to a misunderstanding about the deal.
—Shun Graves, Chicago Tribune, 26 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for chalk up
Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 28 May 2026
Some of the disconnect can be chalked up to taxonomy, as many streaming sports feeds are merely simulcasts of live linear telecasts.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 27 May 2026
The destruction of important files cannot be chalked up to isolated instances of misbehavior or recklessness.
—Amer Matar, The Dial, 26 May 2026
When asked about that, Braiman chalked up the difference to a misunderstanding about the deal.
—Shun Graves, Chicago Tribune, 26 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for chalk up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chalk up
Verb
-
At the time, David Hackett, senior vice president and chief financial officer at Expeditors, attributed the improvements to artificial intelligence deployments.—
Glenn Taylor,
Footwear News,
11 June 2026
-
Thomas attributed the shortfall to the county’s reliance on a shrinking pool of one-time funding — consisting of unspent funding from the prior fiscal year — creating a long-term structural deficit.—
Reeti Malhotra
June 11,
Sacbee.com,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
The German government acknowledged the companies’ inability to cooperate on the jet but, speaking at the Berlin Air Show this week, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz struck an optimistic tone, looking ahead to what the countries could still achieve with the rest of the FCAS project.—
Joseph Ataman,
CNN Money,
13 June 2026
-
Tailored for the real world Operating purely on solar energy, without requiring external heat or electricity, the reactor achieves approximately 93 percent conversion for carbon dioxide and 95 percent oxidation for biomass.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
Another type of bacteria, Staphylococcus, was ascribed to the mummy’s microbiome.—
Mindy Weisberger,
CNN Money,
8 June 2026
-
If wanting to ascribe feelings to the nonhuman world is an anthropocentric crime, the opposite—failure to ascribe feelings to animals, or to respond creatively to plants—seems much worse, entailing an inert, clockwork universe of mechanistic automata, in which humans are the only conscious actors.—
Jenny Odell,
Longreads,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
Similar to congressional races, but unlike county-level elections, the top two vote-getters will advance to the November election regardless of whether either candidate wins a majority of the vote.—
Evelyn Ronan,
Sacbee.com,
10 June 2026
-
Edina has won nine straight games since suffering that defeat.—
Anya Armentrout,
Twin Cities,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
Prevost also commanded an infantry landing craft, and after 15 months overseas, attained the rank of lieutenant junior grade, according to a note on the Pentagon website published soon after Leo’s election.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 June 2026
-
Both wish to attain logic rather than express emotion.—
Lisa Stardust,
PEOPLE,
5 June 2026
Verb
-
Join today to gain access to our latest series ‘Fashion’s Real Reset Starts Now’.—
Christian Allaire,
Vogue,
7 June 2026
-
In that election, Republicans gained support from some Black male voters in battleground states.—
Zachary Bynum,
CBS News,
7 June 2026
Verb
-
The month of May brought our Orange County Artist of the Year, Memorial Day, the Ducks making the playoffs as well as spring high school sports.—
Michele Cardon,
Oc Register,
9 June 2026
-
East Coweta’s Chance Gilbert, a major UGA target for the 2027 class at cornerback, has made a sudden and surprising commitment to Auburn.—
Jeff Sentell,
AJC.com,
9 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Chalk up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chalk%20up. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
