as in rebellious
given to resisting authority or another's control
a balky toddler who only seemed to know the word "no" when told to do something
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Recent Examples of balky
And there are myriad issues for SpaceX's engineers to solve, from engine reliability and the ship's resonant frequency, to beefing up the ship's heat shield and fixing its balky payload bay door.
—
ArsTechnica, 19 June 2025
After winning the first two sets in tiebreaks, Fils fell off a cliff, struggling with his balky back and cramps.
—Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 30 May 2025
The only thing the matter with him was a balky hamstring that kept him out of 24 games.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 May 2025
The reality is Stroman’s struggles began long before the bad weather and balky knee on Friday.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 12 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for balky
ArsTechnica, 19 June 2025
After winning the first two sets in tiebreaks, Fils fell off a cliff, struggling with his balky back and cramps.
—Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 30 May 2025
The only thing the matter with him was a balky hamstring that kept him out of 24 games.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 May 2025
The reality is Stroman’s struggles began long before the bad weather and balky knee on Friday.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 12 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for balky
Recent Examples of Synonyms for balky
Adjective
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Written by Kaitlin Reilly and Dorian Keyes, the film follows a rebellious bad boy and a type-A overachiever who join forces to win the student body presidency – and maybe each other’s hearts along the way.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
8 Sep. 2025
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In business, as in life, there are times when conformity is an asset, but in others, embracing your individuality, inhabiting your rebellious spirit and being a true trailblazer are what lead to success.—
Paul Fitzgerald,
Rolling Stone,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The rebel run is the biggest of them all.—
George Caulkin,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
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Humanitarian organizations estimate over 13 million people have been displaced by the fighting between the government’s military forces and the rebel RSF fighters, with famine and disease a by-product of the struggle for power.—
Rory Fleming,
CNN Money,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The trio – who had never appeared together in public before – formed the defiant face of an emerging bloc of illiberal leaders determined to push back against Western rules and tilt the global balance of power in their favor.—
Nectar Gan,
CNN Money,
4 Sep. 2025
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While Massie remains defiant, the episode highlights how Trump’s threats alone can destabilize even entrenched incumbents.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
1 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Of all the bad-hair-day culprits, matted hair can be the most stubborn and frustrating.—
Grace McCarty,
Glamour,
5 Sep. 2025
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Spills can be blotted (never rubbed) with a dry cloth since the fabric is non-absorptive, and for more stubborn stains, dry cleaning is recommended.—
Zoë Sessums,
Architectural Digest,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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With Iranian power and influence waning, and with the challenges of an ascendant China and a recalcitrant Russia necessarily dominating the American national security agenda, indifference may appear to be the most appealing option for Washington.—
Suzanne Maloney,
Foreign Affairs,
6 Aug. 2025
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In that case, the Saudis would bring greater pressure to be on their recalcitrant partners.—
Michael Lynch,
Forbes.com,
31 July 2025
Adjective
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The result is a book of willful delirium, one that deconstructs its own narrative.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Sep. 2025
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Huger was ultimately charged with a DUI and DWI, negligently driving a vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner endangering property, life, and person, as well as recklessly driving a vehicle in wanton and willful disregard for the safety of persons and property.—
Liza Esquibias,
People.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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All at once, Vance had made an obstreperous return to the center of the national stage—and so did the memes.—
Jessica Winter,
The New Yorker,
19 Mar. 2025
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In some ways, Paul has been less obstreperous than them.—
Eric Cortellessa,
TIME,
18 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Romania, meanwhile, has tried to right the ship after several wayward years of mismanagement at the Romanian Film Center, and a pile of unpaid debts from its cash rebate program that the government is finally close to settling in full.—
Christopher Vourlias,
Variety,
5 Sep. 2025
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Jamie Lee Curtis continues her hot streak of buzzy performances as Ella’s aunt, with Woody Harrelson as her wayward father, plus Jack Lowden, Kumail Nanjiani, Ayo Edebiri and Albert Brooks.—
Jack Smart,
People.com,
31 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Balky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/balky. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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