BALKING (AT) Synonyms: 87 Similar and Opposite Words

balking (at)

verb

present participle of balk (at)

as in refusing

to show unwillingness to accept, do, engage in, or agree to she balked at lending him any more money

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for balking (at)

Verb

Rumors circulated that Matthews was refusing to film with Paul, and since May, the two have been fighting online (alongside the rest of MomTok trying to keep the peace, to no avail).

— Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2026
Despite backlash from her own party and Republicans, Headen is refusing to drop out of the state race.

— David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of refusing

Verb

In rejecting his release in 2021, Newsom said Davis had continued to minimize his role in the crimes and shown a lack of empathy for his victims.

— Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026
The bow-wielding heroine of Brave spends the film rejecting the idea that a princess has to be anything other than herself.

— Sarah Scott, Parents, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of rejecting

Verb

For some business owners, the impact extends beyond declining sales.

— Ivan Taylor, CBS News, 17 Sep. 2026
The number of people aged 100 or older in Japan surpassed a record 100,000 this year, the latest government figures show, underscoring the country's rapidly aging and declining population.

— ABC News, ABC News, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of declining

Verb

The game featured a fourth-quarter comeback by Mizzou and a Tigers fan passing up a chance to win $25k to troll the Jayhawks instead.

— Justin Williams, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
The Emmys’ producers passing up on even the slightest possibility of a Werner Herzog acceptance speech is sheer lunacy.

— Joe Reid, Vulture, 20 June 2026

Definition of passing up

Verb

Tatis dealt with Patrick throwing over twice, and catcher Gary Sánchez snapping off a pickoff throw.

— Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026
Later in the inning, though the run would have likely scored anyway, the usually strong relay combination of center fielder Andy Pages and Betts ended with Betts throwing over catcher Ben Rortvedt.

— Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of throwing over

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balking

balking (at)

balks

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“Balking (at).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/balking%20%28at%29. Accessed 19 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of balking (at)

verb

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