as in frustrating
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as in thwarting
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Dissimilar Words
as in hampering
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 balking
David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Oct. 2025
Other comedians have pointed to the inconsistency of balking at performing in Saudi Arabia when other governments around the world also sponsor morally unjustifiable actions.
—Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2025
Soliman’s legal team filed statements from all three balking at how DHS had cherry-picked their research.
—Hannah Allam, ProPublica, 10 Sep. 2025
As age checks become more commonplace across the Internet due to regulatory pressure globally, people motivated to defend digital freedom are balking and increasingly banding together, Gerfdas said.
—Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 12 Aug. 2025
Not only are moderate Republicans balking at cuts to Medicaid, which were made larger by the Senate, but conservatives are also up in arms over the massive increase in deficit spending, also increased by the upper chamber.
—Mike Lillis, The Hill, 2 July 2025
Verb
San Diego hotel and restaurant owners are balking at a city proposal to charge them steeply higher fees for their valet parking spaces and on-street outdoor dining areas.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Oct. 2025
Other comedians have pointed to the inconsistency of balking at performing in Saudi Arabia when other governments around the world also sponsor morally unjustifiable actions.
—Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2025
Soliman’s legal team filed statements from all three balking at how DHS had cherry-picked their research.
—Hannah Allam, ProPublica, 10 Sep. 2025
As age checks become more commonplace across the Internet due to regulatory pressure globally, people motivated to defend digital freedom are balking and increasingly banding together, Gerfdas said.
—Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 12 Aug. 2025
Not only are moderate Republicans balking at cuts to Medicaid, which were made larger by the Senate, but conservatives are also up in arms over the massive increase in deficit spending, also increased by the upper chamber.
—Mike Lillis, The Hill, 2 July 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for balking
Adjective
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Filling up your tank can be a frustrating experience in today's economy, and the Sonata Hybrid limits that experience.—
Charles Singh,
USA Today,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Mixed messaging from the federal and state government has been frustrating for recipients.—
Hope Karnopp,
jsonline.com,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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And since the deal, Israel has refused to reengage with the agency, hampering large-scale relief efforts.—
Jeremy Konyndyk,
Foreign Affairs,
23 Oct. 2025
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With injuries and inconsistency hampering the wide receiver corps, the Commanders are set to host former Tennessee Titans first-round draft pick Treylon Burks.—
Josh Buckhalter,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The fact no one has picked up this exceptional docu from director David Kittredge is baffling, leading me to think somehow it is cursed, much the same way the original Exorcist was thought to be while in production.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
31 Oct. 2025
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There are several baffling visual motifs, like Jonah’s insistence on wearing the tightest possible shirt in which to teach high-school English or Miller’s ever-flexing jaw muscle.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The seventh game, a 5-4 decision in 11 outrageous innings, had more layers than a crossing guard in a harsh Ontario winter.—
Tyler Kepner,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
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This will require more than just Israel opening all border crossings.—
Catherine Russell,
Time,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The clever joke comes just as the White House is thwarting criticism from its own renovation controversy.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
3 Nov. 2025
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Both structures are placed directly over plants, but critter cages are used to deter wildlife and critters like deer, rabbits, and birds, and cloches are better at thwarting smaller pests and keeping plants warm.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Immigration lawyers predict that an early, high-profile case will be used to set precedent and signal deterrence, even as industry groups warn that tighter enforcement and new visa costs could drive more high-skilled work abroad.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Oct. 2025
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Such deterrence from total annihilation only works when countries act predictably.—
Brian Bennett,
Time,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Look for signs like the cat stopping purring, stiffening, thrashing their tail, or hissing.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
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Despite the logic gleaned from the accounting books arguing to the contrary, spending is showing no signs of stopping.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The thumping Republicans took in this week's elections reflected longer-running anger among constituencies that already leaned Democratic, but the GOP needs to worry that the government shutdown will cause that frustration to spread.—
Deputy News Editor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
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One person familiar with Tuesday’s heated discussion within the caucus says there appears to be at least eight Democratic votes to reopen the government — even though progressive Democratic senators vented their frustration with the potential deal.—
Alexander Bolton,
The Hill,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Balking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/balking. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
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