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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Recent Examples of Synonyms for balking (at)

Verb

They were called in when some individuals were refusing to leave and laying down, blocking an exit.

— Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
Their lawyers spoke about the police refusing to reveal their location.

— Asim Ali, Time, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of refusing

Verb

Unlike municipalities Uthmeier threatened after rejecting the agreements, these local governments have not formally accepted or rejected a 287(g) collaboration.

— Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 27 Oct. 2026
And filmmakers building outside Hollywood’s traditional gates aren’t rejecting the business.

— Chaseedaw Giles, IndieWire, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of rejecting

Verb

China was once a key profit center for Volkswagen, but now the company faces declining demand for cars there on top of fierce price competition from local carmakers.

— ABC News, ABC News, 29 Oct. 2026
Search growth is declining, and Google is placing all its eggs in the AI basket.

— Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of declining

Verb

That means passing up moments that are far more magical to me than to Leo.

— Jeanne Bonner, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026
Seoul claims Ukraine requested secrecy to avoid domestic criticism for passing up the opportunity to exchange the North Koreans for Ukrainian prisoners held in Russia.

— Harriet Marsden, TheWeek, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of passing up

Verb

After 12 years, three standalone movies and a holiday special, Amanda Seyfried appears to have no regrets turning down a Guardians of the Galaxy lead role.

— Glenn Garner, Deadline, 25 Oct. 2026
John only found peace by giving up the ring, turning down the gig, and forging his own path.

— Ben Travers, IndieWire, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of turning down

Verb

In his breakout season in 2025, Maye showed that one of his quarterbacking superpowers is throwing over the middle of the field.

— Daniel Popper, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
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

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 31 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of balking (at)

verb

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