balky

play

adjective \ ˈbȯ-kē , sometimes ˈbȯl- \

Definition of balky

balkier; balkiest

:refusing or likely to refuse to proceed, act, or function as directed or expected

a balky mule

a balky engine

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balkiness

noun

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Examples of balky in a Sentence

a balky toddler who only seemed to know the word “no” when told to do something

Recent Examples of balky from the Web

Price, with his balky elbow and fragile ego, is still playing catch on flat ground and trying to outrun a media firestorm of his own making.

— tom verducci, SI.com, "The Yankees-Red Sox Rivalry Is Back, And It Could Soon Dominate Baseball Again," 15 Aug. 2017
Everyone working in the West Wing, including Trump, had to clear out so the government could replace a balky, 27-year-old heating and cooling system Kelly’s first week on the job was marked by his efforts to crack down on a disorderly system.

— Washington Post, "Trump takes break from White House with ‘working vacation’," 5 Aug. 2017
New England Patriots' coach Bill Belichick had issues with the Surface (or the balky wireless connections) causing him to chuck his device.

— barb darrow, Fortune, "NFL Referees Use Microsoft Surface at Hall of Fame Game," 4 Aug. 2017
Everyone who works in the White House West Wing, including the Oval Office occupant himself, will be forced to clear out by week’s end so that the government can replace the balky, 27-year-old heating and cooling system.

— darlene superville, The Seattle Times, "Trump set to embark on 1st vacation since inauguration," 3 Aug. 2017
Everyone who works in the White House West Wing, including the Oval Office occupant himself, will be forced to clear out by week's end so that the government can replace the balky, 27-year-old heating and cooling system.

— darlene superville, chicagotribune.com, "Trump set to embark on 17-day vacation to his New Jersey golf club," 3 Aug. 2017
Even as the weight was shed, as the body fat dropped, a balky left ankle got in the way, including during the games when needed most, at the close of the 41-41 season.

— ira winderman, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Winderman: Dion Waiters gets his money, and a new challenge from Pat Riley | Commentary," 15 July 2017
He was visited by Roberts and the training staff when a balky knee began barking.

— mark whicker, Orange County Register, "Whicker: Dodgers’ Brandon McCarthy is latest to challenge big, bad Cubs," 22 June 2017
The 31-year-old Spaniard lost at Roland Garros to Robin Soderling in 2009, but his balky knees may have had something to do with it.

— douglas perry, OregonLive.com, "Rafael Nadal looks unbeatable. Is Stan Wawrinka the best bet against Rafa at the French Open?," 5 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'balky.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of balky

1831

balky Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of balky

contrary, perverse, restive, balky, wayward mean inclined to resist authority or control. contrary implies a temperamental unwillingness to accept orders or advice.