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balk (at)

verb

Definition of balk (at)next
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)
  1. refuse
  2. reject
  3. decline
  4. pass up
Verb
  • State police alleged that Betacourt was uncooperative and refused to comply with commands.
    — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 26 Sep. 2026
  • The first time Christian had refused services, at midnight, Lojo had taken the answer at face value and moved on.
    — Anand Giridharadas, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of refuse
Verb
  • The county urged the Supreme Court to reject the administration's appeal, while the state of Texas submitted its own brief defending the database.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Notably, one person, without explanation, rejected the invitation to testify, though their statement to law enforcement was also considered.
    — Cristian Farias, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of reject
Verb
  • Reps for Disney and Iger have declined to comment on Chapek’s allegations.
    — Todd Spangler, Variety, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Among primary suppliers for Europe, export volumes from nations like Russia and Saudi Arabia have declined sharply compared to early year levels.
    — , CNBC, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of decline
Verb
  • After her senior year, Fisher passed up several offers to study law on the West Coast.
    — Benjamin Wofford, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Another time, deep in Rutgers territory, Riley passed up on a fourth-quarter field goal on fourth down, only for USC’s fourth-down pass to come up short.
    — Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of pass up
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

balkanized
balk (at)
balked
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Balk (at).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/balk%20%28at%29. Accessed 29 Sep. 2026.

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