variants
also British baulk
balks; balked; balking
1
: to suddenly show that you do not want to do something : to refuse to do what someone else wants you to do
If this witness balks [=refuses to cooperate in court], our lawyers will not have enough evidence to win the case.
—often + atThe public balked at the President's new tax plan.
He balks at sending his children to expensive private schools. [=he won't send his children to expensive private schools]
2
a
of a horse, mule, etc.
: to stop quickly and refuse to continue going
The horse balked and would not jump the fence.
b
of an engine
: to fail to work in the usual or expected way
I turned the key, but the car's engine balked. [=refused to start]
3
baseball, of a pitcher
: to stop suddenly after starting to throw a pitch : to commit a balk
The runner on third base tried to make the pitcher balk.
plural balks
baseball
: an occurrence in which a pitcher stops suddenly or makes an illegal movement after starting to throw a pitch
He committed a balk.
Note: A pitcher can only commit a balk if there is a runner on first base, second base, or third base. When a balk occurs, the runner is allowed to go to the next base.
Cite this Entry
“Balk.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/balk. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.
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