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 the judge balked, citing concerns over the field trip becoming a spectacle that would draw a crowd of protesters, which could then taint the jury.
—
Hannah Meisel, CBS News, 19 May 2026
Initially, large companies balked at making sizable investments in Venezuela.
—Camila Domonoske, NPR, 7 May 2026
Some major Spirit creditors, however, balked at the proposal, reportedly fearing their priority positions for repayment would be compromised.
—David Lyons, Sun Sentinel, 2 May 2026
The School Board had asked the Boys and Girls Club to pay more rent, but the club balked.
—Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026
Investors balked when the CEO failed to provide details about how Meta plans to make a return on its investment.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 30 Apr. 2026
Those same investors, however, balked at endorsing WBD CEO David Zaslav’s massive golden paramount, though that vote is non-binding.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 30 Apr. 2026
Funds left on the table The price tag for the new pipe and pump system was another issue locals and council members balked at, but the plan already accounted for most of the funding.
—Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 28 Apr. 2026
If Democrats have balked at MAHA’s rejection of vaccines, battling glyphosate has a chance of locking in the movement’s wider base of support.
—Nancy Walecki, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026
Hannah Meisel, CBS News, 19 May 2026
Initially, large companies balked at making sizable investments in Venezuela.
—Camila Domonoske, NPR, 7 May 2026
Some major Spirit creditors, however, balked at the proposal, reportedly fearing their priority positions for repayment would be compromised.
—David Lyons, Sun Sentinel, 2 May 2026
The School Board had asked the Boys and Girls Club to pay more rent, but the club balked.
—Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026
Investors balked when the CEO failed to provide details about how Meta plans to make a return on its investment.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 30 Apr. 2026
Those same investors, however, balked at endorsing WBD CEO David Zaslav’s massive golden paramount, though that vote is non-binding.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 30 Apr. 2026
Funds left on the table The price tag for the new pipe and pump system was another issue locals and council members balked at, but the plan already accounted for most of the funding.
—Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 28 Apr. 2026
If Democrats have balked at MAHA’s rejection of vaccines, battling glyphosate has a chance of locking in the movement’s wider base of support.
—Nancy Walecki, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for balked
Verb
-
Other disciplines and domains are highly exasperated and frustrated that somehow philosophy is getting a moment in the sun to the exclusion of other bona fide majors that ought to be given due consideration.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
-
The news comes five months after the Daily Mail said that Mirren was growing increasingly frustrated with Hardy.—
Derek Lawrence,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 May 2026
Verb
-
They are baffled by filmmakers who do not think more aggressively about sustainability, ownership, and business models around their work.—
Dana Harris-Bridson,
IndieWire,
18 May 2026
-
Such an unconventional approach baffled plenty of people, including the show’s musical composer Marvin Hamlisch, who at the time was in high demand in the film industry and halfway to becoming an EGOT.—
Ross Raihala,
Twin Cities,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
The original plan was to open the museum in 2020, but fundraising efforts were hampered by the 2017 Thomas fire, which destroyed hundreds of homes in the area.—
Deborah Netburn,
Los Angeles Times,
22 May 2026
-
Civilian drone activity has hampered firefighting efforts.—
Brandi D. Addison,
USA Today,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
The environmental high point of the past year for me was when Western politicians, led by Republican Representative Ryan Zinke of Montana and backed by constituents across the political spectrum, thwarted Senator Mike Lee’s plans to sell off public lands.—
John Reid,
The Atlantic,
14 May 2026
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But the plan gets thwarted when said camboy is murdered in the process, setting Paula off into a spiral to uncover what happened and clear her name.—
Senior Television,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Balked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/balked. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
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