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
  • Gretchen Palek, head of alternative at Blumhouse Television, attributes the show’s success to the careful and sensitive approach to telling these terrifying experiences while highlighting real-life universal anxieties.
    — Anthony Solorzano, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Hardy attributes much of the current state of voter apathy to the media’s focus on fraud and voter integrity.
    — Heather LaMarre, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of attributes
Verb
  • But his may be that peculiar fate of an artist who wins so completely that their work can no longer surprise us.
    — Jerry Saltz, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The discussion becomes less about whose idea wins and more about which solution best serves the goal.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 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
  • With the season’s final two episodes not provided to critics, there’s no way to say yet whether The Lowdown achieves that mythical outcome of all mystery seasons, the Finale That Pulls It All Together.
    — Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The mill achieves this hand feel through fiber selection and construction, rather than applied as a chemical treatment that wears off over time.
    — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of achieves
Verb
  • At the heart of Fee’s heroic narratives is the idea of a self that attains purity.
    — Garth Greenwell, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2026
  • During its orbit, S301 attains speeds more than 100,000 times faster than a commercial airliner—over eight percent the speed of light.
    — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of attains
Verb
  • After winding through an aspen grove, the trail gains close to 3,000 feet of elevation to reach the springs.
    — The Aspen Times, Denver Post, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Starbucks' turnaround gains traction with consumers New consumer data offered encouraging evidence that the Starbucks turnaround is, indeed, taking hold.
    — Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of gains
Verb
  • Each inning is worth a point to the team that scores more runs, and no new inning can begin after two hours.
    — Jacob Beltran, San Antonio Express-News, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Microsoft scores about 66, and CrowdStrike, at a similar revenue size, scores about 45.
    — Josh Brown,Sean Russo, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of scores
Verb
  • The third guest of the night is a comedian (Kam Patterson), who, after seeing what has been happening, makes a wise choice.
    — William Vaillancourt, Rolling Stone, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Hyun agreed that filmmaking skill is what makes the difference.
    — Ophélie Surcouf, Variety, 11 Oct. 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 18 Oct. 2026.

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