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
Relevance
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
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.
Recent Examples of balks
Literary Hub, 19 Feb. 2026
Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 28 Feb. 2026
Glushon balks at many of Raman’s positions, including her opposition to a law that allows the city to ban homeless people from the streets near schools.
—Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
But while Wall Street balks at the bountiful spending, tech companies are racing to build more infrastructure to keep up with customer demand for AI services.
—Jennifer Elias, CNBC, 5 Feb. 2026
Minnehaha County Sheriff Mike Milstead balks at the comparison.
—Angela George, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 5 Feb. 2026
Advertisement Glinda balks at the opportunity to straddle the broom with Elphaba and combine their powers to reach unlimited heights.
—Time, 21 Nov. 2025
If your agent balks, find another one who is more amenable to cutting their levy — at least a little.
—Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 13 Nov. 2025
And Scherzinger’s outspoken faith makes her something of an outlier in an industry that balks at too much Jesus talk, especially when that talk becomes entwined with Trump messaging.
—Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 28 Oct. 2025
If so, but your bank account balks at such a journey, just binge all six episodes of Prime’s latest mood quencher.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 26 Sep. 2025
Noun
The balks and furrows, left undisturbed, had other uses too.
—Literary Hub, 19 Feb. 2026
Verb
In response, Brennan balks at the idea — surely, Williams has experienced cooler things?
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 28 Feb. 2026
Glushon balks at many of Raman’s positions, including her opposition to a law that allows the city to ban homeless people from the streets near schools.
—Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
But while Wall Street balks at the bountiful spending, tech companies are racing to build more infrastructure to keep up with customer demand for AI services.
—Jennifer Elias, CNBC, 5 Feb. 2026
Minnehaha County Sheriff Mike Milstead balks at the comparison.
—Angela George, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 5 Feb. 2026
Advertisement Glinda balks at the opportunity to straddle the broom with Elphaba and combine their powers to reach unlimited heights.
—Time, 21 Nov. 2025
If your agent balks, find another one who is more amenable to cutting their levy — at least a little.
—Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 13 Nov. 2025
And Scherzinger’s outspoken faith makes her something of an outlier in an industry that balks at too much Jesus talk, especially when that talk becomes entwined with Trump messaging.
—Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 28 Oct. 2025
If so, but your bank account balks at such a journey, just binge all six episodes of Prime’s latest mood quencher.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 26 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for balks
Noun
-
All four of those teams have faced obstacles in their path of rebuilding.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Chicago must also remove obstacles to effective policing, use technology such as the ShotSpotter gunshot detection system, and update and enforce curfew regulations.—
Juan Rangel,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Tennessee law, the judge explained, thus still frustrates a core goal of the CEA—uniform regulation of the derivatives market.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Attending the esports-style SCC in London, The Athletic saw exactly how Nakamura frustrates some chess fans but helps make new ones.—
Eduardo Tansley,
New York Times,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Those are the same hurdles faced when designing a foldable phone, so Honor repurposed the steel and titanium alloy used in the hinge of its Magic V6 when constructing the micro motors that make the arm move.—
Dominic Preston,
The Verge,
4 Mar. 2026
-
But the effort will face political hurdles, in part because many lawmakers value antitrust law’s emphasis on legitimate competition in the marketplace.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Unless her future self thwarts the plan, Steiner will mail a copy of Empty Chair to her estranged relative in hopes of reconciliation.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
29 Jan. 2026
-
But critics say too much state overreach ignores the distinct needs of different communities and thwarts local innovation.—
Jordan Smith,
IndyStar,
19 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Currently, the Port Authority pays to have obstructions removed.—
Doug Ross,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Mar. 2026
-
Altogether, there were some 252 obstructions around Mexico.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Mount predator baffles and guards to the pole or tree during installation.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
28 Feb. 2026
-
The continued controversy over the Bad Bunny Super Bowl performance baffles me.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
But often those intentions stumble into a political quagmire where democratic dreams turn into civil war, once-compliant dictators become embarrassments and American soldiers return home in body bags.—
Tim Sullivan,
Fortune,
1 Mar. 2026
-
While the turnout had indeed been strong, the decision also came across as an attempt to steady the narrative after a series of logistical embarrassments, reframing disruption as demand.—
The AI Insider,
Interesting Engineering,
23 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Balks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/balks. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
