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 -
Paul was severely ill, so he was excused from appearing, but Vladimir was taken away by the Bolsheviks after refusing to renounce his father.—
Meilan Solly,
Smithsonian Magazine,
13 June 2025
Verb
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In response, Congress passed legislation seeking to limit a president's ability to wage war against Iran, which was again quickly rejected by Trump.—
Mariam Khan,
ABC News,
23 June 2025
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That kind of backlash prompted officials in La Mesa, Oceanside, Vista and Carlsbad to reject digital billboard proposals.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 June 2025
Verb
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But the league declined to comment on any punishment for the official.—
Chris Vannini,
New York Times,
18 June 2025
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Iran's missile launches have declined, though officials have not explained.—
Amanda Castro
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 June 2025
Verb
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There were questions about whether Houston would be willing to part ways with its promising young core, but the chance to land a former MVP like Durant was simply too good to pass up.—
Ricardo Klein,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 June 2025
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But act fast — Amazon’s outlet deals aren’t guaranteed to last, and these markdowns are too good to pass up.—
Clara McMahon,
People.com,
21 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 28 Jun. 2025.
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