balkiness

noun

Definition of balkinessnext
as in rebellion
refusal to obey the teen's unrelenting balkiness was truly frustrating

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for balkiness
  1. rebellion
  2. defiance
  3. willfulness
  4. disrespect
Noun
  • As the competition unfolds, Haymitch risks everything to take down the Games from within the arena — setting in motion the rebellion that will change Panem forever.
    — Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 28 Oct. 2026
  • My assumption that the guest speakers’ anti-Communist insurrection might resonate with today’s youth and their antisystem rebellion proved to be mistaken.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of rebellion
Noun
  • This hint of connection between them is later made concrete when, at the demonstration, the two are complicit in an act of defiance — throwing a cobblestone at a policeman, badly injuring him — and must skip town for the night.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 27 Oct. 2026
  • These behaviors can be signals of distress but may be mistaken for defiance.
    — Jermaine F. Williams, Baltimore Sun, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of defiance
Noun
  • And from that boredom, a different kind of will, the willfulness that accompanies a need to destroy that happiness.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2026
  • From grandmother to grandchild, these three sets of two sisters were powerful characters possessed with passion, willfulness, bravery, and devotion to each other.
    — Griffin Dunne, Vanity Fair, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of willfulness
Noun
  • The only thing that’s clear is their disrespect for Maryland voters and the democratic process.
    — Larry Hogan, Baltimore Sun, 29 Oct. 2026
  • These are not, and no disrespect, cartoon characters or comic books.
    — Zack Sharf, Variety, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of disrespect
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 (at)
balkiness
balking
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Balkiness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/balkiness. Accessed 2 Nov. 2026.

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