1
as in attributed
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 achieved
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
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Recent Examples of chalked up
Jameson So chalked up 19 assists, while Cole Gloss contributed three aces in a tight first game.
—
Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
Rodriguez’s setbacks can be chalked up, in part, to bad luck.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 3 Apr. 2026
But every so often there comes a day that is so different—so unusual—so spectacular that its happening can only be chalked up to old-fashioned, knee-slapping good luck.
—Letters To The Editor, Hartford Courant, 27 Mar. 2026
The appointment where pain was chalked up to stress.
—Allison Palmer, Sacbee.com, 26 Mar. 2026
However, seeing the obviously unwell Jane continually fly off the handle is challenging to watch, especially since her behavior is chalked up to bad nerves and a desperate desire to find a man who will save her from herself.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 18 Mar. 2026
Instead, Vance’s name was left out of the conversation, which Ross chalked up to speakers — a number of whom were elected officials — not wanting to cross the White House.
—Joseph Strauss, Sun Sentinel, 16 Mar. 2026
The tobacco industry, which was a major donor to Trump’s presidential campaign as well as to his White House ballroom, has chalked up a number of wins since his administration took office.
—Sarah Todd, STAT, 13 Mar. 2026
The biggest difference between the regions, most agree, is the talent level, which can simply be chalked up to an area’s population.
—Mitch Stephens, San Francisco Chronicle, 13 Mar. 2026
Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
Rodriguez’s setbacks can be chalked up, in part, to bad luck.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 3 Apr. 2026
But every so often there comes a day that is so different—so unusual—so spectacular that its happening can only be chalked up to old-fashioned, knee-slapping good luck.
—Letters To The Editor, Hartford Courant, 27 Mar. 2026
The appointment where pain was chalked up to stress.
—Allison Palmer, Sacbee.com, 26 Mar. 2026
However, seeing the obviously unwell Jane continually fly off the handle is challenging to watch, especially since her behavior is chalked up to bad nerves and a desperate desire to find a man who will save her from herself.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 18 Mar. 2026
Instead, Vance’s name was left out of the conversation, which Ross chalked up to speakers — a number of whom were elected officials — not wanting to cross the White House.
—Joseph Strauss, Sun Sentinel, 16 Mar. 2026
The tobacco industry, which was a major donor to Trump’s presidential campaign as well as to his White House ballroom, has chalked up a number of wins since his administration took office.
—Sarah Todd, STAT, 13 Mar. 2026
The biggest difference between the regions, most agree, is the talent level, which can simply be chalked up to an area’s population.
—Mitch Stephens, San Francisco Chronicle, 13 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chalked up
Verb
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The increase in ticket revenue is partly attributed to UGA hosting more postseason games over the past two seasons, in addition to an increase in ticket pricing, with interest and demand still on the rise.—
Mike Griffith,
AJC.com,
10 Apr. 2026
-
In 2025, 38 individuals were accused of orchestrating a forgery ring spanning Italy, Spain, France, and Belgium, with links to the sale of counterfeit works attributed to leading artists of the 19th through 21st centuries.—
Tessa Solomon,
ARTnews.com,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
This, the team explains, was achieved by feeding the AI with 81 physical properties of metals.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Apr. 2026
-
The suave Hernández character Domingo appeared briefly but was conked on the noggin by White, who also achieved Five-Timers status, but as a musical guest.—
Omar L. Gallaga,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
At the start of the year, Jacob Elordi sat on the Jimmy Kimmel sofa to promote Wuthering Heights, wearing a pair of off-white Bottega Veneta loafers that were not quite ballet flats, but ascribed to this hybrid style (though many users compared them to ballet flats online).—
Jack Stanley,
Vogue,
31 Mar. 2026
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In his book Deep Blues (1981), music historian Robert Palmer ascribed Robert Johnson’s excellent guitar-playing talent to a dedicated practice of the craft after coming under the wing of fellow musician Ike Zinneman (or Zimmerman).—
René Ostberg,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Rising electricity bills emerged as a campaign issue in recent elections, including during gubernatorial races won by Democrats in New Jersey and Virginia.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 Apr. 2026
-
The Battle of Kings Mountain, where the Patriots won a 1780 battle just west of Charlotte, and a recreation of British loyalist leader Maj.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Today, this is the basis of the Japanese sense of the seasons, which has also had a great influence on literature in Japan, especially with regard to haiku, the 17-syllable Japanese poem that has attained international popularity.—
Caleb Jacobs,
The Drive,
9 Apr. 2026
-
The Cougars then compiled a 14-2-3 record in the regular season, and attained the MIAA’s top spot in the power rankings.—
Tyler McManus,
Boston Herald,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Calls to temporarily pause gas taxes have gained traction in recent days as prices at the pump climb dramatically, largely driven by supply disruptions resulting from the war in Iran.—
Nora O'Neill,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Through his partnership with Stone and Argentine producer Fernando Sulichin, Sánchez Arveláiz gained access to a different kind of power — one rooted not in government offices, but in storytelling and cultural influence.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But Tatum made it through the game healthy, and that was a victory in its own right.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
10 Apr. 2026
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Dallas defenseman Miro Heiskanen made an early exit from the Stars' first-round playoff preview matchup against the Minnesota Wild on Thursday.—
R.J. Coyle,
Dallas Morning News,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Jalen Williams scored 18 points for the NBA champion Thunder (64-16), who will have homecourt advantage throughout the postseason in their title defense after holding off San Antonio (61-19), which is on an 18-2 run since February.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Macklin Celebrini scored his 42nd goal for San Jose to give him 108 points this season, the third-most for a teenager behind Wayne Gretzky's 137 and Sidney Crosby's 120.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Chalked up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chalked%20up. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
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