as in obstacle
something that makes movement or progress difficult
the constant interruptions proved to be a balk to the flow of conversation
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to frustrate
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to refuse
to show unwillingness to accept, do, engage in, or agree to
she balked at lending him any more money
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of balk
Oliver Whang, New Yorker, 3 May 2025
Boston scored two runs in a chaotic top of the first, which saw Jarren Duran thrown out at the plate on a Rafael Devers double, only for Devers to then score on a wild pitch and a balk by Blue Jays opener Yariel Rodriguez.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 1 May 2025
Kelli Bender, People.com, 1 May 2025
But with so much uncertainty over both macroeconomic conditions and trade policies, many companies have been giving downbeat second-quarter forecasts and have been withdrawing or balking at revising their full-year projections.
—Lisa Kailai Han,sean Conlon, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for balk
Noun
Many of these declarations were quickly followed by retractions or temporary suspensions, like a series of balks in an opaque tactical game.
—Oliver Whang, New Yorker, 3 May 2025
Boston scored two runs in a chaotic top of the first, which saw Jarren Duran thrown out at the plate on a Rafael Devers double, only for Devers to then score on a wild pitch and a balk by Blue Jays opener Yariel Rodriguez.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 1 May 2025
Verb
While some may balk at adding more snakes to the neighborhood, there is a good reason behind the release, which is an annual event.
—Kelli Bender, People.com, 1 May 2025
But with so much uncertainty over both macroeconomic conditions and trade policies, many companies have been giving downbeat second-quarter forecasts and have been withdrawing or balking at revising their full-year projections.
—Lisa Kailai Han,sean Conlon, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for balk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for balk
Noun
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Players utilize a set of common rules -- that can be altered by the game master -- and dice to overcome obstacles as the group works to collaboratively tell a story.—
Remington Miller,
Arkansas Online,
16 May 2025
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Powered by Adelaide, Forbes AI Running a company means facing obstacles that shake your foundation.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2025
Noun
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That can include language hurdles, arranging child care or elder care, and significant differences in national pension or retirement programs.—
Christina Larson,
Los Angeles Times,
25 May 2025
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President Donald Trump’s sweeping tax and policy bill clears one hurdle.—
Rebecca Morin,
USA Today,
23 May 2025
Noun
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But this latest exchange had a far less satisfying denouement: an uncertain military outcome and a diplomatic embarrassment, in the eyes of Modi’s nationalist base.—
Vaibhav Vats,
The Atlantic,
21 May 2025
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Houston has lost its last six against the Ravens, including last year’s 31-2 embarrassment on Christmas Day.—
Dan Pompei,
New York Times,
19 May 2025
Noun
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Federal prosecutors charged Dugan in April with obstruction and concealing an individual to prevent arrest.—
Todd Richmond,
Chicago Tribune,
15 May 2025
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The Supreme Court struck down the Biden administration’s aggressive use of the obstruction charges.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
13 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Balk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/balk. Accessed 29 May. 2025.
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