as in frustrated
to prevent from achieving a goal
a young man with big dreams who refused to be balked by the many challenges he faced in making them a reality
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Recent Examples of balked
But lawmakers this week balked at exempting property taxes that go to schools.
—
Lawrence Mower, Miami Herald, 2 June 2026
Progressive Senate Democrats also balked at putting their name behind legislation to grant a major property tax break to a multibillion-dollar professional sports franchise.
—Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2026
His defenses of them, by contrast, have often relied on conspiracy theories, and some Republican officials have balked at his efforts to excuse or reward them.
—New York Times, 2 June 2026
The Pentagon balked at those stipulations, leading it and Trump to cut ties with the company.
—Jared Perlo, NBC news, 2 June 2026
Sixth-generation distiller Chris Sadler had never used honey in his botanical repertoire, and balked when Jenkins suggested using it.
—Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 1 June 2026
Scorsese cast Aidan Quinn as Jesus after studio execs balked at Christopher Walken.
—Isaac Butler, New Yorker, 30 May 2026
But Moreno balked then, and balked again the next year.
—Ken Rosenthal, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 May 2026
Some lawmakers balked at giving up tax revenue while the state is in a prolonged budget crisis.
—Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 25 May 2026
Lawrence Mower, Miami Herald, 2 June 2026
Progressive Senate Democrats also balked at putting their name behind legislation to grant a major property tax break to a multibillion-dollar professional sports franchise.
—Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2026
His defenses of them, by contrast, have often relied on conspiracy theories, and some Republican officials have balked at his efforts to excuse or reward them.
—New York Times, 2 June 2026
The Pentagon balked at those stipulations, leading it and Trump to cut ties with the company.
—Jared Perlo, NBC news, 2 June 2026
Sixth-generation distiller Chris Sadler had never used honey in his botanical repertoire, and balked when Jenkins suggested using it.
—Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 1 June 2026
Scorsese cast Aidan Quinn as Jesus after studio execs balked at Christopher Walken.
—Isaac Butler, New Yorker, 30 May 2026
But Moreno balked then, and balked again the next year.
—Ken Rosenthal, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 May 2026
Some lawmakers balked at giving up tax revenue while the state is in a prolonged budget crisis.
—Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 25 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for balked
Verb
-
While many fans have questioned the sincerity of the effort that A’s owner John Fisher and MLB made to keep the A’s in Oakland, MLB officials also grew frustrated by the process.—
Evan Drellich,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
-
As Marcus spent more time mentoring his leading employees, their temperament shifted from frustrated to inspired, stirring more change in the workforce than Marcus ever could have achieved alone.—
Janine Schindler,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
Cannonball Concretions Perfectly round rock formations in the North Unit baffled scientists for years.—
Julia Sayers Gokhale,
Midwest Living,
1 June 2026
-
While some were baffled by the posts amid Bear’s claims, others pointed out the ability to schedule posts, depending on the type of account.—
Jami Ganz,
New York Daily News,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
But like Hulst, he was also hampered by injuries.—
Scott M. Reid,
Oc Register,
30 May 2026
-
Clark is finally at full strength again after, hampered by a groin injury, played in only 13 games a year ago.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Toward the end of the season, Deborah’s grand MSG show is thwarted by her nemesis Bob Lipka (Tony Goldwyn) who bought out all the tickets to the show, leaving her with an empty stadium.—
Alexandra Jhamb Burns,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 June 2026
-
Kajari still has a strong connection to India and had planned a trip to visit her 91-year-old mother this year, which was thwarted due to the ongoing war with Iran.—
Maddie Connors,
Los Angeles Times,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Balked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/balked. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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