1
as in attributing
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 achieving
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 chalking up
Management chalking up the early exit to fatigue from two deep runs and injuries to McDavid, Draisaitl, Zach Hyman, Jason Dickinson, and Adam Henrique, among others.
—
Shayna Goldman, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2026
The days of the secluded mathematician chalking up a blackboard have largely given way to a collaborative spirit as math has become increasingly technical.
—Chase Hunter, Mercury News, 19 Apr. 2026
Shayna Goldman, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2026
The days of the secluded mathematician chalking up a blackboard have largely given way to a collaborative spirit as math has become increasingly technical.
—Chase Hunter, Mercury News, 19 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chalking up
Verb
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The Jets tried to downplay the significance of Hellebuyck’s words, attributing them to normal emotions that follow a playoffs miss.—
Murat Ates,
New York Times,
4 May 2026
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Ross defended the decision, pointing to the budget gap and attributing part of the shortfall to the Tarrant Appraisal District delaying new home assessments until next year.—
Sergio Candido,
CBS News,
3 May 2026
Verb
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Check out our top picks for achieving his look like a bold pair of eyeglasses, clean suit separates, a crisp shirt and standout accessories including brooches, pocket squares and more!—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 May 2026
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In another sweeping effort to mitigate a weighty budget deficit and work towards achieving future financial stability, Evanston-Skokie District 65 has announced plans to eliminate all middle school librarian positions beginning next year, according to multiple district officials.—
Claire Murphy,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
Verb
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The group immediate drew praise on social media for not ascribing the cancellation to anything beyond the most obvious factors.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
4 May 2026
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Wednesday’s verdict in Los Angeles on the ninth day of jury deliberations shows the difficulty of ascribing how much social media is to blame for youths suffering varying degrees of distress.—
Bloomberg,
Bloomberg,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Aspen Wooten, a talented tennis prodigy who moved from Memphis to Lake Nona with her family as a ninth grader, had accomplished just about everything available in her four-year high school career — including winning more than 100 matches.—
Buddy Collings,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 Apr. 2026
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Schindler also put down the winning kill in both games for the Knights (16-5, 1-1).—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Success will be determined around that goal — either attaining it or at minimum, looking like a real threat to do so.—
Varun Shankar,
Houston Chronicle,
4 May 2026
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Granted, his policy regarding Iran not attaining a nuclear weapon is a good one.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
3 May 2026
Verb
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Even as anthropologists were decisively abandoning totemism, however, the idea was gaining cultural credibility elsewhere.—
Glenn Adamson,
Artforum,
2 May 2026
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And Chinese carmakers are fast gaining market share there.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
2 May 2026
Verb
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In stark contrast to the teenage social scene once synonymous with malls, many of Lincolnwood’s shoppers seemed to come there alone, making beelines for the still-open Old Navy or Victoria Secret without ever removing their headphones.—
Audrey Pachuta,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2026
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The Moon in Aquarius moves through your 9th House and trines Venus in your sign, making learning and creative thinking especially fertile.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
9 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Chalking up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chalking%20up. Accessed 10 May. 2026.
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