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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Some people in the crowd who refused to leave and blocked traffic engaged in large physically violent fights, causing multiple injuries, the official said.—
Mark Morales,
CNN Money,
10 June 2026 -
Rajoub refused the entreaty, much to the frustration and embarrassment of Infantino.—
Scott M. Reid,
Oc Register,
10 June 2026
Verb
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At the same time, the resolution calls for humane immigration policies that uphold justice and mercy, strongly rejecting nativism, discrimination and racial or ethnic hostility.—
Marc Ramirez,
USA Today,
10 June 2026
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As of last month, according to Yahoo Sports, more than $125 million worth of NIL compensation that had been promised to athletes had been rejected by the clearinghouse or was still under review.—
Ryan Kartje,
Los Angeles Times,
10 June 2026
Verb
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Ohtani declined a post-game interview request Thursday.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
12 June 2026
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The number of stray dog reports has declined in recent years.—
Jasmine Arenas,
CBS News,
12 June 2026
Verb
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Around him, Turkey’s best ball progressors, Arda Guler and Hakan Calhanoglu, will frequently drop deep to pull the opposition out of shape and look for incisive passes up the pitch.—
Thom Harris,
New York Times,
5 June 2026
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Buttery, herby garlic knots are too good to pass up, especially when served with warm marinara sauce for quick dipping.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
3 June 2026
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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 13 Jun. 2026.
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