as in refuses
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 balks (at)
Verb
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The place is decaying and strict, but Luna refuses to give in to its rules.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
7 Nov. 2025 -
But Chiles refuses to let anyone’s score define her.—
Essence,
Essence,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Employees have even suggested that Hialeah might be better served by joining county-run departments, an idea Calvo firmly rejects.—
Verónica Egui Brito,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
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After years representing luxury giants in fashion and beauty ranging from Audemars Piguet to Sephora, content creator Nour Arida is launching her own vision, one that rejects perfection in favor of presence.—
Ritu Upadhyay,
Footwear News,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Moderating declines at Vans suggest that the brand’s overhaul is taking shape.—
Stephen Garner,
Footwear News,
3 Nov. 2025
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If the player declines the qualifying offer, his previous team is entitled to an extra draft pick as compensation.—
Jon Vankin,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Balks (at).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/balks%20%28at%29. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.
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