1
as in attributed
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 achieved
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
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Recent Examples of chalked up
His offensive production is down, but some of that can be chalked up to bad luck.
—
Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2026
Some of the dynamism around the 2025 season can only be chalked up to fate and the gridiron gods.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 28 Jan. 2026
Some portion of this effect can be chalked up to AI’s ability to juice productivity, especially among non-English-speaking scientists who need help presenting their research.
—Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 22 Jan. 2026
Instead, Lifton chalked up the invocation of critical materials in Venezuela to political naivete.
—Jared Perlo, NBC news, 17 Jan. 2026
Per Nielsen, last weekend’s NFL deliveries were up 13% versus the 2025 numbers, and while some of that improvement may be chalked up to the recent upgrade in its ratings-gathering methodology, there’s no reason to believe the magic will suddenly wear off during the divisional round.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 16 Jan. 2026
Reggie Stevens scored 15 points, while Noah Corro chalked up seven points and seven rebounds.
—Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 15 Jan. 2026
As a result, the stock’s drop can be chalked up to the broader market’s down session on Wednesday.
—Paulina Likos, CNBC, 14 Jan. 2026
At the end of the day, much of Williams’ fate on the show has been chalked up to a misunderstanding by fellow contestants, but the reality star pushes back against that narrative.
—Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 13 Jan. 2026
Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2026
Some of the dynamism around the 2025 season can only be chalked up to fate and the gridiron gods.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 28 Jan. 2026
Some portion of this effect can be chalked up to AI’s ability to juice productivity, especially among non-English-speaking scientists who need help presenting their research.
—Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 22 Jan. 2026
Instead, Lifton chalked up the invocation of critical materials in Venezuela to political naivete.
—Jared Perlo, NBC news, 17 Jan. 2026
Per Nielsen, last weekend’s NFL deliveries were up 13% versus the 2025 numbers, and while some of that improvement may be chalked up to the recent upgrade in its ratings-gathering methodology, there’s no reason to believe the magic will suddenly wear off during the divisional round.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 16 Jan. 2026
Reggie Stevens scored 15 points, while Noah Corro chalked up seven points and seven rebounds.
—Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 15 Jan. 2026
As a result, the stock’s drop can be chalked up to the broader market’s down session on Wednesday.
—Paulina Likos, CNBC, 14 Jan. 2026
At the end of the day, much of Williams’ fate on the show has been chalked up to a misunderstanding by fellow contestants, but the reality star pushes back against that narrative.
—Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 13 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chalked up
Verb
-
Boller attributed this effort to her social-media posts about the devastation in Gaza.—
Yair Rosenberg,
The Atlantic,
13 Feb. 2026
-
State officials later attributed at least 246 deaths to the freeze.—
Newsroom Meteorologist,
Houston Chronicle,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Our dental hygiene, respiratory care, vision care and police academy programs all recently achieved 100% first-time pass rates on their respective licensing exams.—
Torey Alston,
Sun Sentinel,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Few coaches in the postseason have achieved what Morris has.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
However, the benefits the city has ascribed to data center development have not assuaged concerns about potential environmental harm.—
Devan Patel,
Mercury News,
10 Feb. 2026
-
First, D’Amaro does not suffer from the myopic, centralized operator mentality ascribed to Chapek, appreciating the creative talent that is core to Disney magic.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Fortune,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The Hornets went 80-19 and won four CIF San Diego Section championships and three state titles in Carter’s time on the Lincoln staff.—
John Maffei,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Feb. 2026
-
Andrew Castro scored 17 points for La Mirada, which had won 14 consecutive games.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Though about 62% of residents have completed high school, only 12% have attained a bachelor’s degree, and nearly 21% attended college but have no degree, according to the city’s economic development data.—
Lily Kepner,
Austin American Statesman,
5 Feb. 2026
-
The signature crypto coin stands about 40% below a peak attained in October 2025, Jim Reid, a research strategist at Deutsche Bank, noted in a memo to clients on Monday.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
2 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The company says the attacker gained brief, unauthorized access to a small part of its network before being removed.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
10 Feb. 2026
-
The website gained momentum after the Serve fleet essentially doubled the number of robots in Chicago last fall, Robertson said.—
Robert Channick,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
But the recent volatility has made some analysts wonder if gold still has the same luster as an investment.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
-
The material is made from hydrogel, a water-rich, gel-like substance, and is produced using a technique the team describes as 4D printing.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Leonard, who had 12 rebounds, scored 19 points in the fourth quarter to extend his career-best streak of 20-point games to 33.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Feb. 2026
-
There were six lead changes and five ties in the first half before Duke scored seven straight points to take a 35-29 halftime lead.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Chalked up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chalked%20up. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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