balkier; balkiest
: refusing or likely to refuse to proceed, act, or function as directed or expected
a balky mule
a balky engine
balkiness
noun
Synonyms of balky
Examples of balky in a Sentence
a balky toddler who only seemed to know the word “no” when told to do something
Recent Examples on the Web
The Angels also said that third baseman Yoán Moncada will have surgery on his balky right-knee.
—
Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2026
The Angels also said that third baseman Yoán Moncada will have surgery on his balky right-knee.
—CBS News, 9 June 2026
On a drizzly Saturday morning late last month, the basement of the New Paltz United Methodist Church filled with old lamps, blunt knives, malfunctioning sound mixers and balky zippers.
—ABC News, 7 June 2026
Ayo Dosunmu is playing with a balky calf.
—Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for balky
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Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2026
The Angels also said that third baseman Yoán Moncada will have surgery on his balky right-knee.
—CBS News, 9 June 2026
On a drizzly Saturday morning late last month, the basement of the New Paltz United Methodist Church filled with old lamps, blunt knives, malfunctioning sound mixers and balky zippers.
—ABC News, 7 June 2026
Ayo Dosunmu is playing with a balky calf.
—Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for balky
Cite this Entry
“Balky.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/balky. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
balky
adjective
balkier; balkiest
: likely to refuse to act or function as directed or expected
a balky mule
a balky engine
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