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balked (at)

verb

past tense of balk (at)
as in refused
to show unwillingness to accept, do, engage in, or agree to she balked at lending him any more money

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for balked (at)
  1. refused
  2. rejected
  3. declined
Verb
  • But while making an unsuccessful 2024 Senate bid, in an interview with the Detroit Free Press editorial board, Rogers refused to answer who won the presidential contest in 2020.
    — Sam Gringlas, NPR, 21 Sep. 2026
  • After Liviniti, the pharmacy benefit manager, refused coverage for Henderson, his family turned to Jefferson County.
    — Arthur Allen, CBS News, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of refused
Verb
  • Beijing has rejected such accusations as groundless and vowed to retaliate if Washington moves to target Chinese AI companies.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Kenda Tomes McClain, a candidate for mayor, asked the committee to allow the public to vote on the Royals stadium project, noting that Jackson County voters rejected a county plan for a Royals stadium in 2024.
    — Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of rejected
Verb
  • Laboratory officials declined to provide details, citing privacy concerns, but said experts from India, China, the United States, Singapore and South Korea were assisting with the work.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 26 Sep. 2026
  • The couple — identified as Trinity County residents Mallory and Jeff Wilson by the San Francisco Chronicle, which was first to report on the incident — declined The Times’ interview request.
    — Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of declined
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.

Browse Nearby Words

balked
balked (at)
balkiness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Balked (at).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/balked%20%28at%29. Accessed 28 Sep. 2026.

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