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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of chalks up
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
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
Verb
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Argentina, a country that has been working to bring down skyrocketing inflation, is seeing another rise in the cost of living, which the government of President Javier Milei attributes, in part, to the Middle East conflict.—
Anabella González,
CNN Money,
2 May 2026
-
While the Air Force and Space Force have met their 2026 recruiting targets ahead of schedule, the Pentagon attributes much of the military recruiting shortfall to a smaller pool of qualified applicants.—
Emily Guskin,
ABC News,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
Two officials stood above the players, with one signaling touchdown (meaning Tate caught the ball, Seattle wins) and the other signaling touchback (meaning Jennings caught the ball, Green Bay wins).—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 May 2026
-
Because that means Wyoming wins and Texas wins.—
Nick Coltrain,
Denver Post,
8 May 2026
Verb
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Meanwhile, Brewer ascribes Starbucks’ success in Italy, where even the average person is a coffee connoisseur, to offering people, especially young people, a place to relax and enjoy a coffee.—
Phil Wahba,
Fortune,
29 Jan. 2026
-
This breakup analysis ascribes no value to the companies being under the same corporate parent.—
Peter Cohan,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The telling is harrowing, but also humorous at times, and achieves an emotional register that had me, essentially, transfixed.—
John Warner,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2026
-
Here, the Sport+ drive mode does a commendable job of keeping the transmission in the meaty parts of the powerband, while dialing the dampers back to Sport achieves the right balance of body control and compliance on these less-than-perfect road surfaces.—
Bradley Iger,
Robb Report,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
But if a person seeking status is already wealthy or attains corporate sponsorship, for instance, a viable pathway to citizenship opens up, even if only slightly.—
Brady Brickner-Wood,
New Yorker,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Gemini attains a very favorable position almost directly overhead.—
Joe Rao,
Space.com,
12 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Gray gains entry to three new markets as part of the deal that began in March and will have overlap in seven others.—
Rick Porter,
HollywoodReporter,
4 May 2026
-
In downtown Hartford, gains in asking rent, not including fees, have slowed since 2020, but are still on the rise.—
Kenneth R. Gosselin,
Hartford Courant,
3 May 2026
Verb
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The Magic are now 1-7 in playoff games when Banchero scores 30 or more, a statistic that raises uncomfortable questions about everything around him.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 May 2026
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Anze Kopitar scores the tiebreaking goal late in the second period and Jonathan Quick makes 39 saves to cap the Kings’ comeback from three games down with a 5-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks in Game 7 of the first round.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
And what makes this all worse is that Fauci made these comments this week.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2026
-
Mass raids in neighborhoods, workplaces and near schools create fear that makes communities less safe, not more.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Chalks up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chalks%20up. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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