as in rebellion
refusal to obey
the teen's unrelenting balkiness was truly frustrating
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in rebellious
given to resisting authority or another's control
a balky toddler who only seemed to know the word "no" when told to do something
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of balkiness
Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 12 Apr. 2025
After balky hamstrings saddled him with an injury-prone label, Fulton has set career highs for tackles (51) and games (15).
—Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2025
Missing the final week in Arizona with a balky back didn’t keep centerfielder Jung Hoo Lee off the Giants’ Opening Day roster, but in somewhat of a surprise, infielder Christian Koss will be on the bench in Cincinnati instead of outfielder Grant McCray or infielder Brett Wisely.
—Laurence Miedema, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2025
But Musgrove’s balky elbow finally gave out in the wild-card series against the Braves.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for balkiness
Adjective
The reality is Stroman’s struggles began long before the bad weather and balky knee on Friday.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 12 Apr. 2025
After balky hamstrings saddled him with an injury-prone label, Fulton has set career highs for tackles (51) and games (15).
—Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2025
Missing the final week in Arizona with a balky back didn’t keep centerfielder Jung Hoo Lee off the Giants’ Opening Day roster, but in somewhat of a surprise, infielder Christian Koss will be on the bench in Cincinnati instead of outfielder Grant McCray or infielder Brett Wisely.
—Laurence Miedema, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2025
But Musgrove’s balky elbow finally gave out in the wild-card series against the Braves.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for balkiness
Recent Examples of Synonyms for balkiness
Noun
-
Hulu's Emmy-winning series pushed far beyond the events in Margaret Atwood's 1985 book, building to a rebellion in the totalitarian, patriarchal nation where women are dehumanized and used as vessels for breeding.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
28 May 2025
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While there were wins for the rebellion, Gilead lives on with many of June’s strongest allies trapped there at the start of the episode, like Aunt Lydia (Ann Dowd) and Janine (Madeline Brewer).—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
26 May 2025
Adjective
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Inspired by 1953’s The Wild One starring Marlon Brando, the song and video captures the rebellious spirit of the cult classic, with scenes of a motorcycle being driven on an open road and birds in flight.—
Althea Legaspi,
Rolling Stone,
4 June 2025
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Many historians estimate that at least 15 to 20 percent of the population remained loyal to the crown, some even taking up arms against their rebellious neighbors and fighting alongside the British.—
Greg Daugherty,
Smithsonian Magazine,
4 June 2025
Noun
-
But general director Lawrence Edelson struck a note of defiance in his opening remarks on Friday, to cheers.—
Hannah Edgar,
Chicago Tribune,
7 June 2025
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The Maryland sheet metal worker was released from prison in El Salvador and put on a plane back to the U.S. two months after he was deported to his homeland in defiance of an order not to return him there for fear of persecution, ABC News first reported.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
6 June 2025
Adjective
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Yet none of this has dampened Mr. Trump’s enthusiasm for bringing U.S. influence to bear in trying to end the rebel incursion – in part because the fighting has affected a region that holds some of Congo’s main rare earth deposits.—
Ned Temko,
Christian Science Monitor,
12 June 2025
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The legislature entertained several bills—including two from Sumner—to authorize the government to seize rebel property, including slaves.—
Zaakir Tameez
June 11,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2025
Adjective
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Kim Kardashian made a defiant walk into Paris' Palace of Justice in May, to face the criminals who held the reality star at gunpoint and robbed in 2016.—
Doc Louallen,
ABC News,
6 June 2025
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In curating the show, Moore sought to elevate artists whose work embodies this tension while also offering something tender, vulnerable, and defiant.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
5 June 2025
Noun
-
The three Māori lawmakers declined to appear before the committee during its investigation, citing disrespect for their cultural traditions.—
Julia Zhong,
NBC news,
5 June 2025
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Kelce saw some disrespect in those rankings, coming in at No. 7 on the list.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 May 2025
Adjective
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Their relationship can be difficult as AM is stubborn and likes to have her way always.—
Carolyn Rosenblatt,
Forbes.com,
9 June 2025
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Rick McConnell said that this sounds like his mom, who is stubborn.—
Bella Waters,
Kansas City Star,
4 June 2025
Adjective
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In response, these recalcitrant members of Congress simply refused to adopt must-pass federal reapportionment legislation.—
Made by History,
Time,
2 Apr. 2025
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Among Congressional Republicans, Paul has been more recalcitrant than most.—
Eric Cortellessa,
TIME,
18 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Balkiness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/balkiness. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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