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

The engineer abruptly resigned after refusing to contribute to a reckless corporate competition that could ultimately lead to uncontrollable AI.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2026
Failing the exam or refusing to take it is proof of the need for civil commitment.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of refusing

Verb

At first, all 15 countries have the same colored ballot slips for the straw polls, so no one knows who is supporting or rejecting a candidate.

— Tim Backshall, Christian Science Monitor, 9 Sep. 2026
There is still time for Americans to create a new apogee before America 300 by rejecting the lies, insecurity, and ignorance endemic of the last quarter-century.

— Michael E. Neagle, Hartford Courant, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of rejecting

Verb

Parents, students, and educators raised concerns Wednesday night about Broward County Public Schools' proposal to close several schools as the district grapples with declining enrollment and significant funding shortfalls.

— Abby Dodge, CBS News, 10 Sep. 2026
Across the city and the country, declining attendance has idled many religious buildings, often leading to conversions.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of declining

Verb

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
The Supreme Court is staying out of a case about whether the Catholic Church misled parishioners about the purpose of an annual collection, passing up a chance to probe the independence churches have from government interference.

— Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 26 May 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 12 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of balking (at)

verb

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