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
The studio balked but Redford didn't take no for an answer.
—
Brian Truitt, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2025
His pitch was warmly received by state lawmakers, including some who have balked at efforts to grow other renewable energy sources, like solar.
—Connor Giffin, Louisville Courier Journal, 15 Sep. 2025
Shareholders balked, citing differences between TV and publishing, as well as the prospect of the move simply consolidating power under Lachlan.
—Andy Meek, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Trump is permitting Europe to pay for Ukraine to buy weapons – such as longer-range missiles – that Biden once balked at.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2025
While praising Vandersloot’s abilities and leadership, Reese balked at the prospect of building the roster around a point guard attempting to return from an ACL tear at age 36.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 3 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
Brian Truitt, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2025
His pitch was warmly received by state lawmakers, including some who have balked at efforts to grow other renewable energy sources, like solar.
—Connor Giffin, Louisville Courier Journal, 15 Sep. 2025
Shareholders balked, citing differences between TV and publishing, as well as the prospect of the move simply consolidating power under Lachlan.
—Andy Meek, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Trump is permitting Europe to pay for Ukraine to buy weapons – such as longer-range missiles – that Biden once balked at.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2025
While praising Vandersloot’s abilities and leadership, Reese balked at the prospect of building the roster around a point guard attempting to return from an ACL tear at age 36.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 3 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for balked
Verb
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Economic insecurity and political corruption have for years left many of Nepal’s youth frustrated, setting the stage for today’s protest movement.—
Nir Kshetri,
The Conversation,
14 Sep. 2025
-
As a baby boomer and an amateur genealogist, I am continually frustrated by the lack of interest my grandchildren’s generation seems to have in learning about their family history — particularly mine.—
Jeanne Phillips,
Mercury News,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Advertisement Advertisement But days after the shooting, authorities have yet to discover a coherent motive for the killing of Kirk—the founder of Turning Point USA and a popular figure on the American right—and experts on extremism are similarly baffled by the possible motivations.—
Richard Hall,
Time,
13 Sep. 2025
-
The result is a set of policies that has baffled some China experts, or at least raised questions about the president’s stance on America’s friendly rival.—
Christian Datoc,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The investigation has been hampered by peculiar challenges, though, perhaps none greater than the fact that the entire city in which the crime occurred has vanished.—
Denver Nicks,
Rolling Stone,
14 Sep. 2025
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Dry conditions have hampered quail reproduction across parts of Arizona, leading to concerns about future populations.—
Brandon Loomis,
AZCentral.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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One miscue was a fumble into the end zone from the two-yard line, which thwarted a long drive late in the third quarter.—
Mike Waters,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Sep. 2025
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The original paint job to remove the city’s colorful LGBTQ+ pride intersection was thwarted by cars and rain — leaving a smeared mess of paint on the street that raised safety concerns.—
Abigail Hasebroock,
Miami Herald,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Balked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/balked. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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