as in obstacle
something that makes movement or progress difficult
the constant interruptions proved to be a balk to the flow of conversation
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to frustrate
to prevent from achieving a goal
a young man with big dreams who refused to be balked by the many challenges he faced in making them a reality
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to refuse
to show unwillingness to accept, do, engage in, or agree to
she balked at lending him any more money
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of balk
Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 2 Apr. 2025
There are no balks, and the ball is live, which means the hidden ball trick happens regularly.
—Jason Mastrodonato, Mercury News, 24 Mar. 2025
Eric Asimov, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2025
First, moderate House Republicans would likely balk at that prospect after raising concerns about potential cuts to Medicaid.
—Mychael Schnell, The Hill, 10 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for balk
Noun
Perhaps the best example of the relief corps’ good work: Carlos Estévez helped Kansas City survive a controversial balk call that, a couple batters later, led to the bases being loaded with no one out.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 2 Apr. 2025
There are no balks, and the ball is live, which means the hidden ball trick happens regularly.
—Jason Mastrodonato, Mercury News, 24 Mar. 2025
Verb
But value-conscious wine drinkers willing to buy an $18 cava may balk at a $23 cava.
—Eric Asimov, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2025
First, moderate House Republicans would likely balk at that prospect after raising concerns about potential cuts to Medicaid.
—Mychael Schnell, The Hill, 10 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for balk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for balk
Noun
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The Arches is designed for all-around off-roading, while the Cliffhanger is geared toward slow, technical obstacles.—
Jamie L. LaReau,
USA Today,
24 Apr. 2025
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However, the obstacle avoidance technology included in the X10 Pro Omni has a 3D MatrixEye.—
Terri Williams,
Architectural Digest,
23 Apr. 2025
Noun
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These financial hurdles can lead to the perception that technology adoption simply isn’t worth it.—
James Lindsey,
Forbes.com,
18 Apr. 2025
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Despite these hurdles, experts agree that digital twins represent the future of sports.—
Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report,
FOXNews.com,
17 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Around 2010 to 2011, as Woods walked knee-deep in the funk of public embarrassment, endless injuries and a broken swing, the door swung open to players desperate for space in major tournaments.—
Brendan Quinn,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
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Maybe Thursday is the start of something, of a retreat from embarrassment.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
10 Apr. 2025
Noun
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In addition to the concealment charge, Mendoza-Gonzalez was charged with obstruction of justice and abuse of a corpse, police said.—
Clifford Ward,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Apr. 2025
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The teenagers are also facing charges of second-degree obstruction of justice and motor vehicle theft.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
9 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Balk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/balk. Accessed 28 Apr. 2025.
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