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
Republicans have balked at these demands, taking particular issue with the prospect of restoring Medicaid benefits to immigrants.
—
Simon F. Haeder, The Conversation, 3 Oct. 2025
Republicans balked, accusing Democrats of holding the government hostage by standing in the way of continued federal funding unless their health-care demands are met.
—Kevin Breuninger,sam Meredith, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2025
Yurachek balked at the idea that candidates to be the next full-time football coach would be underequipped like Pittman.
—Arkansas Online, 30 Sep. 2025
But rather than appreciating the extra game, a number of fans have balked at the additional football.
—Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 29 Sep. 2025
In 2023, Miller produced a tribute show in honor of Burnett’s ninetieth birthday—for NBC, not CBS, which balked at the idea that Burnett could draw an audience.
—Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025
When the job threatened to pull them back to Kansas City, Landon and his wife balked.
—Peter Burke, FOXNews.com, 28 Sep. 2025
The Sixers, however, have to this point balked at moving the qualifier deadline back.
—Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025
Many balked at Gem’s $155 price tag, while others struggled to grasp the difference between the two businesses.
—Jeanne Malle, Air Mail, 27 Sep. 2025
Simon F. Haeder, The Conversation, 3 Oct. 2025
Republicans balked, accusing Democrats of holding the government hostage by standing in the way of continued federal funding unless their health-care demands are met.
—Kevin Breuninger,sam Meredith, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2025
Yurachek balked at the idea that candidates to be the next full-time football coach would be underequipped like Pittman.
—Arkansas Online, 30 Sep. 2025
But rather than appreciating the extra game, a number of fans have balked at the additional football.
—Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 29 Sep. 2025
In 2023, Miller produced a tribute show in honor of Burnett’s ninetieth birthday—for NBC, not CBS, which balked at the idea that Burnett could draw an audience.
—Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025
When the job threatened to pull them back to Kansas City, Landon and his wife balked.
—Peter Burke, FOXNews.com, 28 Sep. 2025
The Sixers, however, have to this point balked at moving the qualifier deadline back.
—Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025
Many balked at Gem’s $155 price tag, while others struggled to grasp the difference between the two businesses.
—Jeanne Malle, Air Mail, 27 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for balked
Verb
-
Martin Odegaard hobbling off the Emirates pitch for the third time in as many starts would have frustrated Mikel Arteta, but having Martin Zubimendi waiting in the wings is a luxury any manager would dream of.—
Art de Roché,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
-
Youths frustrated at a social media ban, corruption and lack of economic opportunities coordinated mass protests via Discord that helped bring down the government.—
Mandy Taheri,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
But the rhetoric has baffled Democrats, who see ER payments as effective and noncontroversial and are unwilling to disavow it.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Fans in the surrounding section can be heard in shock, baffled that the man gave away such a coveted possession.—
Skyler Caruso,
PEOPLE,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Penn State came up short against Oregon last week, and the second loss of the season hampered their chances of making the College Football Playoff with a tough road ahead of them.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
5 Oct. 2025
-
After being hampered by injuries late in his time with the Royals, Keller is healthy and happy to be part of Chicago’s bullpen.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In finishing with 83 wins in each of the previous two years, the Cubs were thwarted by a bullpen that either wore down near the end of the season or failed in too many clutch moments.—
Patrick Mooney,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
-
Several church members thwarted what would have likely been a mass shooting, including one who, driving a pickup truck, saw the suspect in the parking lot and hit him.—
Detroit Free Press,
Freep.com,
28 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Balked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/balked. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share