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
  • But the other main parties called it a stunt and refused to take part, leaving Farage running against an assortment of independents, jokers and single-issue candidates led by Count Binface, a comic space alien with a trash can on his head.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Despite this, Miller has refused to drop out, holding out past the Monday deadline for Ohio Republicans to nominate a new candidate.
    — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of refuse
Verb
  • Craig has blamed Flanagan for a lack of oversight and accountability, allegations that Flanagan rejects.
    — Diana Paulsen, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • The Braves were rejected by former Cy Young winner Jacob deGrom at the trade deadline.
    — Gabriel Burns, AJC.com, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of reject
Verb
  • Farage did not give a victory speech after declining to attend the declaration, claiming police had warned of a campaign to disrupt it.
    — Reagan Yip, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
  • And the university, which declined an interview request about the new program, is not the first to offer content creation courses.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of decline
Verb
  • Maybe Walter genuinely fielded an unexpected offer too big to pass up.
    — Mark Medina, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Nelson, the Mavericks coach, and his son, the Mavericks GM, persuaded 20-year-old German star Dirk Nowitzki to pass up European basketball and join the franchise.
    — John Raby, Los Angeles Times, 9 Aug. 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 15 Aug. 2026.

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