as in obstacles
something that makes movement or progress difficult
the constant interruptions proved to be a balk to the flow of conversation
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in frustrates
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of balks
Howard Homonoff, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Trump has said that if Putin balks at ending the war, there will be severe economic consequences for Russia.
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 19 Aug. 2025
The wealthy, somewhat callous protagonist (Washington here, Toshiro Mifune back in ‘63) initially balks at paying the ransom money and wiping out his business to save his friend’s son’s life.
—Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2025
Verb
If a more powerful Nexstar balks at paying the affiliate fees required from its network partners such as NBC, ABC, CBS, and Fox, might any of those networks simply take matters into their own hands by seeking to partner with local cable operators and bypass their prior affiliates?
—Howard Homonoff, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Trump has said that if Putin balks at ending the war, there will be severe economic consequences for Russia.
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 19 Aug. 2025
The wealthy, somewhat callous protagonist (Washington here, Toshiro Mifune back in ‘63) initially balks at paying the ransom money and wiping out his business to save his friend’s son’s life.
—Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for balks
Noun
-
To strengthen an organization’s risk management, executives and boards must first identify cultural obstacles, according to the report.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
9 Sep. 2025
-
This missile allows tank crews to hit targets that are hidden behind buildings, trees, or other obstacles without exposing themselves to enemy fire.—
Kapil Kajal,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Use what frustrates or excites you as a clue.—
Cheryl Robinson,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
-
This imbalance frustrates Delhi but also underscores why cutting ties is not realistic.—
Spriha Srivastava,
CNBC,
28 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Artest has aspirations to set the program record and win the state championship in the 300 hurdles.—
Michael Osipoff,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Back in 2012, Tesla’s board offered him a deal based on production and stock price hurdles.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
In 2025, Roborock launched a vacuum cleaner with a robotic arm for moving socks and other obstructions out of the way.—
Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
21 Aug. 2025
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The Buck is collecting data to identify any obstructions to the safe navigation of traffic entering or exiting the Port of Baltimore via the Fort McHenry Federal Channel.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
19 Aug. 2025
Verb
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One case that still baffles is the macabre story of Virginia McCullough, who killed her parents for their money – and then lived with their bodies for four years.—
KC Baker,
People.com,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
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For many, the glamour of it all seemed to be gone, replaced with a glossy series of embarrassments.—
Lyz Lenz,
Rolling Stone,
16 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Balks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/balks. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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