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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Still, the predatory hawks that used to feed on those birds haven’t returned this year, Moore said, attributing their absence to avian flu.—
Alex Wigglesworth,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Jan. 2026
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Lord of the Rings franchise director Peter Jackson joined the billionaires club in November 2021, with Forbes attributing his financial status to selling a stake in his company, Weta Digital, for $975 million.—
Diane J. Cho,
PEOPLE,
18 Jan. 2026
Verb
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For many workers, achieving balance has become increasingly important.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
31 Jan. 2026
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Ultimately, a general strike is meant to disrupt business as usual, and Oakland showed that achieving such a thing is possible even in a post-Taft-Hartley world.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
31 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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What are the odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot?—
Tanya Wildt,
Freep.com,
4 Feb. 2026
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Riera, 43, was previously in charge of Slovenia’s side NK Celje, winning the domestic cup last season and racing 10 points clear at the top of the league in this one, and began work officially on Monday.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Dual citizenship Henley & Partners is one of a number of companies that assists high-net-worth individuals in attaining dual citizenship around the globe.—
Maureen O'Hare,
CNN Money,
13 Jan. 2026
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The monks practice and teach Vipassana meditation, an ancient Indian technique taught by the Buddha himself as core for attaining enlightenment.—
Deepa Bharath,
Fortune,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The Guaranteed Cash Offer is a commission-free cash purchase of a house, where homeowners can avoid paying commissions and fees while gaining the flexibility to pick their closing and move-out dates.—
Lyssanoel Frater,
USA Today,
31 Jan. 2026
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O’Hara launched her extraordinary career as one of the ensemble members of the star-making cast of SCTV before gaining acclaim in such films as Beetlejuice, Home Alone, A Mighty Wind and, in a full-circle embrace of her TV roots that earned her an Emmy Award, Schitt’s Creek.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Also, the cold weather is forecast to get much worse from Sunday, with temperatures dropping even further and making the time frame for a pause in attacks hard to understand.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
31 Jan. 2026
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But in elite-level sport, there is also a danger in dreading the consequences of making a mistake.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Chalking up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chalking%20up. Accessed 7 Feb. 2026.
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