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
-
McMahon attributes her ability to thrive among testosterone guzzlers to being an only child.—
Zach Helfand,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Improving these decisions requires multiple analyses, including reviewing past collections, identifying which attributes mattered, mapping those attributes to sell-through and comparing them to current demand signals.—
Anita Beveridge-Raffo,
Fortune,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Desperation wins in the playoffs.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
25 Apr. 2026
-
In three games against Escondido this week — Mission Hills wins by 15-2, 9-1 and 10-0 — Mulford, who had a double and triple Friday, was 7 of 12 with 12 RBIs.—
John Maffei,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Grandparents are not interested in performance or outcomes, but in substance — not in what a child achieves, but in who that child becomes.—
Peter Folan,
Boston Herald,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Indeed, the level of global acclaim Jackson, who tragically died in 2009 at the untimely age of 50 due to acute propofol intoxication, achieves is unprecedented.—
Keith Murphy,
VIBE.com,
24 Apr. 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
-
The episode starts to mirror that classic sitcom’s multi-threaded structure as Marcus’ final-season arc gains traction.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Apr. 2026
-
If a team gains a CFA in an equal or higher percentile bracket, those CFAs offset.—
Daniel Popper,
New York Times,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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On another day, Aaronson scores that early in the game and the entire narrative is different.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Portland’s Brandon Roy scores 18 in the fourth quarter, including a 4-point play and the go ahead jumper with 39 seconds left.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
That alone makes the proposition of using DNA as an engineering material far more feasible.—
Eliza Strickland,
IEEE Spectrum,
30 Apr. 2026
-
While Shug’s Bagels owner and founder Justin Shugrue is originally from New York, don't waste your time debating whether or not Shug's makes New York-style bagels.—
Nathanael Gassett,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Chalks up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chalks%20up. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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