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
However, problems became apparent when some patrons balked at driving farther north.
—
Bill Hirschman, Sun Sentinel, 14 Apr. 2026
So what does a $77 rotisserie chicken say about the increasing wealth gap, the disparity between the leisure and working classes, and the overall affordability crisis that certainly irked those who balked at the price?
—Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Bon Appetit Magazine, 14 Apr. 2026
White Sox pitcher Jordan Leasure balked while Salvador Perez was batting.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 14 Apr. 2026
House Republicans initially balked at the plan, but GOP leaders and the president have since coalesced around a strategy that would fund DHS through the normal appropriations process while funding ICE and CBP through budget reconciliation, which would not require Democratic votes.
—Nicole Sganga, CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026
When one of his pastry chefs pitched hummingbird cake ($14) for inclusion, Billings, who’d never heard of it, balked at her description.
—Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 Apr. 2026
In the latter, exhibitors tried to double the fare but balked when demand dropped.
—Michele Metychall, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Apr. 2026
Jackson Perdue delivered a 1-out double to left in the ninth and was balked to third.
—Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Apr. 2026
Many in the online pundit class balked at his article, casting it as anecdotal and credulous.
—Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
Bill Hirschman, Sun Sentinel, 14 Apr. 2026
So what does a $77 rotisserie chicken say about the increasing wealth gap, the disparity between the leisure and working classes, and the overall affordability crisis that certainly irked those who balked at the price?
—Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Bon Appetit Magazine, 14 Apr. 2026
White Sox pitcher Jordan Leasure balked while Salvador Perez was batting.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 14 Apr. 2026
House Republicans initially balked at the plan, but GOP leaders and the president have since coalesced around a strategy that would fund DHS through the normal appropriations process while funding ICE and CBP through budget reconciliation, which would not require Democratic votes.
—Nicole Sganga, CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026
When one of his pastry chefs pitched hummingbird cake ($14) for inclusion, Billings, who’d never heard of it, balked at her description.
—Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 Apr. 2026
In the latter, exhibitors tried to double the fare but balked when demand dropped.
—Michele Metychall, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Apr. 2026
Jackson Perdue delivered a 1-out double to left in the ninth and was balked to third.
—Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Apr. 2026
Many in the online pundit class balked at his article, casting it as anecdotal and credulous.
—Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for balked
Verb
-
Kowalsky Shapiro was a strong advocate for her daughter’s running and was frustrated by the lack of coaching and competitive opportunities for girls and women.—
Scott M. Reid,
Oc Register,
17 Apr. 2026
-
The Pitt’s vocal online fandom has been frustrated with what some viewers see as a shift from season one to season two, with less screen time for women of color and more attention on Robby, whose behavior this season undercuts the warm, supportive mentor of season one.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Government officials, who had already introduced measures to ease the burden of price rises a few weeks ago, were baffled over the rationale behind the protests because the global price spike is due to the Middle East conflict that restricted oil exports.—
Brian Melley,
Fortune,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Government officials, who had already introduced measures to ease the burden of price increases two weeks ago, have been baffled over the rationale behind the protests because the global price spike is due to the conflict in the Mideast that has restricted oil exports.—
Brian Melley,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
An amusing film if not altogether convincing, Lee Cronin’s The Mummy is protracted and exceedingly hampered by imitation.—
Gregory Nussen,
Deadline,
16 Apr. 2026
-
But it has been hampered by technical and staffing issues, the Financial Times reported, with passengers in 15 countries waiting up to three hours at security.—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson,
semafor.com,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In an arrest affidavit, investigators said Victor Lee Hawkins, 20, armed with two semiautomatic handguns, walked into the lobby of the school that afternoon, told everyone to hit the ground and tried to shoot one student but was thwarted by a malfunctioning weapon.—
Dennis Romero,
NBC news,
15 Apr. 2026
-
The plot revolves around the evil Dark Helmet (Moranis) and President Skroob (Brooks), who attempt to steal the atmosphere of the peaceful planet Druidia, only to be thwarted by the hero Lone Starr (Pullman), his sidekick Barf (John Candy), and the Druish princess Vespa (Zuniga).—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Balked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/balked. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.
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