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
Since no one balked at last year’s $400 melon, the same shop owners introduced a $150 grape juice shipped in from Nagano, Japan; in Amagansett, an $80 blueberry pie is already regularly selling out before the weekend’s over.
—
Mark Seliger,
Vulture,
22 June 2026
Accusing Israel of violating the ceasefire in Lebanon, Iran balked at attending talks planned Friday, the first since the Iranian and US presidents signed the 14-clause memorandum of understanding (MoU) earlier in the week.
—
Mitchell McCluskey,
CNN Money,
21 June 2026
Though her vault was near-perfect, the rookie balked on her first attempt, incurring a full-point neutral deduction.
—
Caroline Price,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2026
Talks in Switzerland were postponed Iranian officials balked at starting the talks with Vance in Switzerland because of the Israeli action in Lebanon, according to the person familiar with the White House and Iranian positions.
—
Jon Gambrell,
Chicago Tribune,
19 June 2026
But insurers balked, so the government is instead extending the transitional coverage program, called Bridge, until the end of next year.
—
Ed Silverman,
STAT,
16 June 2026
Many Plainfield residents have balked at the prospect of clearing scores of acres of vacant fields and former farmland to accommodate two enormous buildings, fleets of trucks and sprawling parking fields.
—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
15 June 2026
Lewis, who balked at a similar request in August 2024, didn’t hesitate to say yes this time.
—
Dan Hayes,
New York Times,
13 June 2026
But the Board of Supervisors has balked — with good reason.
—
Daniel Borenstein,
Mercury News,
12 June 2026
Mark Seliger,
Vulture,
22 June 2026
Accusing Israel of violating the ceasefire in Lebanon, Iran balked at attending talks planned Friday, the first since the Iranian and US presidents signed the 14-clause memorandum of understanding (MoU) earlier in the week.
—
Mitchell McCluskey,
CNN Money,
21 June 2026
Though her vault was near-perfect, the rookie balked on her first attempt, incurring a full-point neutral deduction.
—
Caroline Price,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2026
Talks in Switzerland were postponed Iranian officials balked at starting the talks with Vance in Switzerland because of the Israeli action in Lebanon, according to the person familiar with the White House and Iranian positions.
—
Jon Gambrell,
Chicago Tribune,
19 June 2026
But insurers balked, so the government is instead extending the transitional coverage program, called Bridge, until the end of next year.
—
Ed Silverman,
STAT,
16 June 2026
Many Plainfield residents have balked at the prospect of clearing scores of acres of vacant fields and former farmland to accommodate two enormous buildings, fleets of trucks and sprawling parking fields.
—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
15 June 2026
Lewis, who balked at a similar request in August 2024, didn’t hesitate to say yes this time.
—
Dan Hayes,
New York Times,
13 June 2026
But the Board of Supervisors has balked — with good reason.
—
Daniel Borenstein,
Mercury News,
12 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for balked
Verb
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Terrell Carstens, a 25-year resident of Brookhaven, said she is frustrated the city made little effort to find places to cut costs instead of raising the rate.
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Some residents are calling for civilian volunteers to help clear debris, frustrated by the slow pace of the rescue operations.
Verb
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His mother, Ahmani Hicks, describes him as a kid who loved sports, and she's baffled as to why her son was targeted.
-
Known as the Galactic Center Excess, a spherical gamma-ray glow extending out for thousands of light-years from the core of our galaxy, this high-energy light has baffled researchers for over a decade.
Verb
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Slowing the virus’ spread has been hampered by the fact that there is no known treatment or vaccine for the new Bundibugyo strain.
-
Peterson was considered by many the top prospect in this year’s class, but his stock was hampered by injury issues during his lone season at Kansas.
Verb
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In the 31st minute, Morocco's Achraf Hakimi received the ball downfield in front of the box but was thwarted by Haiti's goalkeeper Johny Placide.
-
Starmer’s attempt to tackle Britain’s spiralling benefits bill was thwarted by his own MPs.
Cite this Entry
“Balked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/balked. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
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