chalks up

verb

present tense third-person singular of chalk up
1
as in attributes
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 wins
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 chalks up Nvidia easily chalks up more sales in a quarter than its next three largest rivals combined. — Ian King, Fortune, 20 May 2026 Mamdani chalks up the friendly encounters to these New York ties. — Sophia Vento, The Hill, 19 Apr. 2026 Player of the Week Junior outside hitter Briggs Corona chalks up 38 kills, 35 digs, eight aces and six blocks in five matches for the host RedHawks and was named all-tournament at the Marist Invitational. — Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026 With a wry chuckle, McCartney chalks up these cornball elements of his TV specials and other outings to the perils of being surrounded by yes people. — Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 25 Feb. 2026 The properties are arranged by their defining natural element (Aspen, Pine, Oak, Ryegrass)—a decision Kayne chalks up to her Virgo tendencies. — Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 23 Feb. 2026 The explanation for the recent surge in beef prices is complex, but essentially chalks up to an issue of supply and demand. — Emma Wozniak, USA Today, 25 Sep. 2025 Ferguson chalks up the brand’s success not just to the dependable menu, but to how staff interacts with patrons. — Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 22 Sep. 2025 That feeling was one EYB chalks up to Panhandle House and the return home to Denton. — Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 9 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chalks up
  1. attributes
  2. wins
  3. ascribes
  4. achieves
  5. attains
  6. gains
  7. scores
  8. makes
Verb
  • Durkin attributes the negative sentiment toward data centers to a confluence of factors, primarily fear of the environmental and economic risks associated with the AI boom that has emerged as a result of little knowledge about data centers.
    — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Naughton attributes that success to health care and affordability being front of mind.
    — Selena Simmons-Duffin, NPR, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of attributes
Verb
  • Each man wins one round of the fight before it’s broken up, ensuring there’s no clear winner — but the mere fact that Cliff was able to throw a martial arts legend into the side of a car is a feather in his cap.
    — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Horse racing’s biggest star closes from dead last, but Blame holds off the 6-year-old mare and wins the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic under the lights Churchill Downs.
    — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of wins
Verb
  • The effect was similar to the one writer Joan Morgan ascribes to The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (1998).
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2026
  • One automatically ascribes fraud to results that are often predictable, even routine; the other dismisses legitimate concerns as conspiracy theories.
    — Andrew E. Busch, The Conversation, 23 July 2026
Definition of ascribes
Verb
  • So fill a surface with words, more words and larger words than are necessary; fill a surface with something—anything—that achieves a minimal degree of individuation as well as commercial persuasion.
    — Alec Mapes-Frances, Artforum, 1 Nov. 2026
  • The five-phase program will begin with initial criticality, the point at which a reactor achieves a self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of achieves
Verb
  • Rama attains liberation after renouncing the world, while Lakshmana’s violent actions lead him to hell before a spiritual ascent later.
    — Tamanna Nangia, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026
  • At the heart of Fee’s heroic narratives is the idea of a self that attains purity.
    — Garth Greenwell, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of attains
Verb
  • Adaptive cruise control also gains Curve Speed Control, which adjusts its operation for bends, and Overtake Assist to help when passing slower traffic.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Whichever party gains control of Congress with today’s votes will largely determine the health policies that have a chance at passage in coming years.
    — Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of gains
Verb
  • Elina Svitolina, in Tom Ford, scores a snack while Rybakina, Gauff, and Muchova come away empty-handed.
    — Corey Seymour, Vogue, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Beliveau, who scores all four Canadien goals, gets three in 44 seconds against Bruins goaltender Terry Sawchuk on the same power play.
    — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of scores
Verb
  • That makes Teghaza an emissary from a wet, potentially habitable Mars.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Nov. 2026
  • After perusing the pecan and cinnamon rolls, Kinney makes her way through the crowded diner.
    — Barbara Sprunt, NPR, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of makes

Browse Nearby Words

chalking up
chalks up
chalk up
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Cite this Entry

“Chalks up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chalks%20up. Accessed 8 Nov. 2026.

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