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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of balked
Moscow also recently balked at proposals to establish post-war security assurances for Ukraine, which fears a future Russian invasion even if a peace agreement were attained.
—
Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2025
After Hulkamania had stood for all that was right throughout the 1980s and early ’90s, Hogan had balked at the notion of becoming an on-screen villain.
—Justin Barrasso, Boston Herald, 30 Aug. 2025
But the Red Sox answered against reliever Camilo Doval, who gave up an infield single to Hamilton, then balked him over to second base.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 22 Aug. 2025
Avildsen balked at hiring producer Martin Bregman’s girlfriend Cornelia Sharpe in the role of Serpico’s girlfriend.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 21 Aug. 2025
The financing was meant to position Target for the long run, but investors balked at the news.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2025
Shawn French, host of The Determined Society podcast and former LSU baseball player, also balked at Engh's proposal, insisting the current distance is appropriate.
—Joshua Rhett Miller, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Aug. 2025
The Vols balked, and the next day, Heupel confirmed Tennessee was moving on without Iamaleava.
—Sam Khan Jr, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2025
But after the industry balked at that idea (that’s already a jampacked week), the TV Academy decided to lean into Phase 2 FYC events, and make Emmy campaigning — at least this year — the backbone of launching Televerse.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 18 Aug. 2025
Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2025
After Hulkamania had stood for all that was right throughout the 1980s and early ’90s, Hogan had balked at the notion of becoming an on-screen villain.
—Justin Barrasso, Boston Herald, 30 Aug. 2025
But the Red Sox answered against reliever Camilo Doval, who gave up an infield single to Hamilton, then balked him over to second base.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 22 Aug. 2025
Avildsen balked at hiring producer Martin Bregman’s girlfriend Cornelia Sharpe in the role of Serpico’s girlfriend.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 21 Aug. 2025
The financing was meant to position Target for the long run, but investors balked at the news.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2025
Shawn French, host of The Determined Society podcast and former LSU baseball player, also balked at Engh's proposal, insisting the current distance is appropriate.
—Joshua Rhett Miller, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Aug. 2025
The Vols balked, and the next day, Heupel confirmed Tennessee was moving on without Iamaleava.
—Sam Khan Jr, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2025
But after the industry balked at that idea (that’s already a jampacked week), the TV Academy decided to lean into Phase 2 FYC events, and make Emmy campaigning — at least this year — the backbone of launching Televerse.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 18 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for balked
Verb
-
During his loan spell with Leeds, Spence frustrated their head coach Daniel Farke with his timekeeping.—
Jay Harris,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Some actors might choose to step away from such a thing, or even be frustrated by it or it being brought up in interviews, but Fischer clearly enjoys every last moment of her good fortune from a former era, even now.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The comment sections of each video documenting the saga was flooded with people baffled by how the pair ended up in the situation.—
Latoya Gayle,
PEOPLE,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Willis, a seven-time Pro Bowl linebacker who starred for the San Francisco 49ers, was baffled by Jerry Jones sending Parsons to Green Bay.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Talking to Bill Nighy about his star turn as a frail and at times broken novelist in & Sons is rather hampered by the British actor not having seen director Pablo Trapero’s father-and-son drama on a screen of any size ahead of its world premiere on Sunday at the Toronto Film Festival.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Currently, only 37% of the more than 5 million tons of trash generated in the county each year is recycled — and even that is hampered by a 40% contamination rate.—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Kohberger ultimately accepted a plea deal, avoiding the death penalty and receiving four consecutive life sentences, plus additional years, a move that split the victims’ families between those who welcome closure to those who say justice was thwarted.—
Stephen Sorace,
FOXNews.com,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Despite the growing momentum in support of a ban, there's still significant opposition to it — the same opposition that has thwarted past attempts to enact limits on congressional stock trading beyond those contained in the 2012 STOCK Act.—
Emily Wilkins,
CNBC,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Balked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/balked. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share