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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for balking (at)
  1. refusing
  2. rejecting
  3. declining
  4. passing up
  5. turning down
  6. throwing over
Verb
  • There’s something to be said for refusing to budge from your core principles of timeless design, high-quality materials and a focus on natural fibers for four decades.
    — Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 29 July 2026
  • That brought a public outcry and boycott that led to NBC refusing to air the awards in 2022.
    — Andrew Dalton, Fortune, 29 July 2026
Definition of refusing
Verb
  • The 9th Circuit joined the 2nd, 6th, 7th, 10th, and 11th Circuits in rejecting the administration’s policy, countering the 5th and 8th Circuits, which have said the policy is lawful.
    — Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 31 July 2026
  • North and Central America and Caribbean governing body CONCACAF and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) later came out with statements rejecting FIFA’s proposal, but stopping short of a boycott.
    — Patrick Sung Cuadrado, CNN Money, 30 July 2026
Definition of rejecting
Verb
  • Wine consumption as a whole is declining, according to the French Agriculture Ministry, with the government funding permanent vineyard removal in some cases.
    — Martina Di Licosa, CBS News, 31 July 2026
  • Some factors outside of districts’ control, such as the declining birth rate and competition with the private sector, could be contributing to this trend, according to local and state education leaders.
    — Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 July 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
  • Rock Hill Mayor John Gettys said the city has spent four years turning down redevelopment offers for Palmetto Research Park in an effort to hold the property for higher-wage employers.
    — John Marks, Charlotte Observer, 2 July 2026
  • Value your time by turning down unpaid tasks.
    — Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 17 June 2026
Definition of turning down
Verb
  • Anthony had a cortisone shot last week and had begun throwing over the weekend.
    — Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 21 May 2026
  • Next, a gentle tip-tap rippling through major East Coast cities, as the girls collectively add to cart whatever Holmes is toting or throwing over her shoulders.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 26 Apr. 2026
Definition of throwing over
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

balking
balking (at)
balks
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Cite this Entry

“Balking (at).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/balking%20%28at%29. Accessed 31 Jul. 2026.

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