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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of balk
Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 15 June 2025
Champlin took the hill with one out in the top of the seventh inning in last year’s regional final, got the final two outs, and was credited with the win when the Braves scored the game-ending run on a balk in the bottom of the inning.
—Steve Galluzzo, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2025
Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 28 July 2025
The County Council balked a few times after the Fair Board drew up plans, but after nearly 20 years, the project went forward.
—Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 25 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for balk
Noun
Ruiz had already attempted a pick-off twice during a single at-bat when Freeman took a fake early jump off first base, prompting Ruiz to step off the rubber for a third would-be pick-off attempt, which is a balk.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 15 June 2025
Champlin took the hill with one out in the top of the seventh inning in last year’s regional final, got the final two outs, and was credited with the win when the Braves scored the game-ending run on a balk in the bottom of the inning.
—Steve Galluzzo, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2025
Verb
But committee member Neal Zuckerman balked at the proposal Monday.
—Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 28 July 2025
The County Council balked a few times after the Fair Board drew up plans, but after nearly 20 years, the project went forward.
—Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 25 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for balk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for balk
Noun
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Highlighting the beauty and peril of open water swimming and the obstacles women continue to face in the pursuit of equality, Vindication Swim has been praised for its vivid portrait of Gleitze as a pioneering trailblazer for women’s open water swimming around the world.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
6 Aug. 2025
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The move by Maxwell, while expected, adds to the obstacles the DOJ must overcome to release grand jury transcripts from Epstein's and Maxwell's cases.—
Tracy Wright,
FOXNews.com,
5 Aug. 2025
Verb
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For example, Dell has reportedly tracked VPN usage and badge swipes, frustrating some workers.—
Scharon Harding,
ArsTechnica,
8 Aug. 2025
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When end customers call their bank to ask for an update, banks themselves have little visibility into a dispute’s status, leaving everyone frustrated.—
Jeff Kauflin,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Funneling the prescriptions through one particular pharmacy introduces a variety of logistical hurdles and delays.—
Samuel Ganz,
Sun Sentinel,
17 Aug. 2025
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Soon after, another hurdle appeared: a recurring inguinal hernia that led to frequent hospital visits, including spending Christmas Day in the emergency room.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Many construction projects fall under the California Environmental Quality Act, a regulation designed for public works that morphed into a tool to thwart unwanted development.—
Sam Bloch
August 8,
Literary Hub,
8 Aug. 2025
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Texas Republicans are seeking to redraw the state's congressional boundaries to give Republicans an advantage and thwart potential losses in the 2026 midterm elections.—
Andrew Stanton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The memory of her own childhood embarrassment—drinking from old creamer containers at school lunch to save money—flashed through her mind.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Aug. 2025
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Nick Kroll co-created the raunchy comedy, which explores puberty, sexuality, and the never-ending embarrassments of adolescence.—
Huntley Woods,
EW.com,
9 Aug. 2025
Verb
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She’s equally baffled by the widespread use of artificial intelligence.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
4 Aug. 2025
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Knight was left off the two-night, 11-match SummerSlam card entirely, a decision that baffled and angered his supporters.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Winner of the 1989 Academy Award for Documentary Feature, this moving film explores the human stories obscured by statistics, examining the cross-section of identities affected by HIV/AIDS, as well as efforts to combat the stigma, misinformation, and political obstruction that deepened the crisis.—
Samantha Bergeson,
IndieWire,
6 Aug. 2025
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Fain refused to provide records requested by the monitor, constituting an obstruction of transparency and cooperation.—
Liam Rappleye,
Freep.com,
6 Aug. 2025
Verb
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As the truck was coming to a stop, a passenger in the front seat got out and ran from the vehicle, which stopped a short distance later.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
16 Aug. 2025
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Although the Bay Area sales tax hike and the statewide transit bond would have to go on the ballot for voter approval next year, SB 79 could become law this week if nothing is done to stop it.—
Susan Shelley,
Oc Register,
16 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Balk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/balk. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.
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