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
His first taste of international cricket was a chastening experience, chalking up the worst bowling figures for an England ODI debutant with 0-76 off seven overs against South Africa at Headingley.
—
James Wallace, New York Times, 22 Sep. 2025
James Wallace, New York Times, 22 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chalking up
Verb
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What's really behind the baby bust The reasons Americans choose not to have children are hotly debated in academic circles, with many attributing America’s baby bust to shifting priorities and societal norms.—
Jessica Guynn,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
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But attributing everything to the turnovers overlooks the fact that Michigan has thrown for fewer than 150 yards in back-to-back games against two of the worst teams in the Big Ten.—
Austin Meek,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Put a Monogram on It The key to achieving a personalized home lies in those little details.—
Tessa Cooper,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Jan. 2026
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Fixating on the outcome and then having trouble achieving that goal can be discouraging.—
Gillian Mohney,
Verywell Health,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The actress is cautious in ascribing too much power to her position.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
15 Dec. 2025
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Describing African resistance to slavery as a form of fugitive politics enables us, moreover, to confront accounts that, while acknowledging the reality of the resistance of the enslaved, end up depoliticizing it by ascribing it primarily to private emotions such as fear.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Bregman played his first nine seasons with the Houston Astros, winning World Series titles in 2017 and 2022 — although the first of those yielded a sign-stealing scandal that earned Bregman and his teammates plenty of scorn.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Jan. 2026
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Miami is just 7-15 against teams with a winning record this season.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Over the years, Brewer, as a pro athlete with endorsements, witnessed the transactions involving local Somali immigrants who were attaining wealth.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
3 Jan. 2026
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To that end, Shaq is throwing in a new car as an incentive for Wilmore to focus on attaining his goal.—
Anna Lazarus Caplan,
PEOPLE,
31 Dec. 2025
Verb
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A week after a 27-10 road win at Syracuse, North Carolina turned in a dreadful first half against Stanford (3-7, 2-5 ACC), gaining only 47 total yards on its way to a 3-3 halftime tie.—
Justin Williams,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
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The allegations contained in the recent NBA gambling indictment check the box of gaining widespread attention and headlines.—
Samidh Guha,
ABC News,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The prosecutor’s spokesperson said Yeo was making excuses that did not make sense about the notes discovered on his mobile phone.—
Reuters 2 hr ago,
CNN Money,
10 Nov. 2025
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The water pressure then causes the vehicle to rise and slide on a thin layer of water between the tires and the road, making the driver lose control.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Chalking up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chalking%20up. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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