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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for balk (at)
Verb
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The second doctor refused to admit her so more tests could be done.—
Keyaira Boone,
Essence,
13 June 2025 -
The Mullahs in Tehran refused to dismantle their nuclear program.—
Anna Commander
Tom O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 June 2025
Verb
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But judges reviewing other eligibility cases have rejected this interpretation as construing Alston beyond its actual words.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
10 June 2025
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The Dolphins have maintained contact with veteran free agent cornerback Rasul Douglas, who rejected a Miami offer earlier this month.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
8 June 2025
Verb
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Reached over the phone, Barry Caro, president of Bartholomew Communications and Strategies, declined to comment.—
Chris Sommerfeldt,
New York Daily News,
18 June 2025
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This is a manageable challenge, especially since the pressures on the program will eventually decline, as the Trustees Report shows.—
Christian Weller,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2025
Verb
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Joy Callaway and her mom never pass up a good adventure.—
Joy Callaway,
People.com,
6 June 2025
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The threat hasn’t gone away, and Tony voters shouldn’t pass up an opportunity to honor true playwriting excellence.—
Charles McNulty,
Los Angeles Times,
3 June 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Balk (at).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/balk%20%28at%29. Accessed 26 Jun. 2025.
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