Synonyms of balky

balky

adjective

ˈbȯ-kē 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• rebellious
• rebel
• stubborn
• defiant
• recalcitrant
• obstreperous
• wayward
• willful
• intractable
• dogged
• rigid
• unruly
• restive
• contrary
• refractory
• disobedient
• contumacious
• adamant
• mischievous
• naughty
• insubordinate
• ungovernable
• bad
• uncooperative
• unrelenting
• froward
• incompliant
• uncontrollable
• untoward
• resistant
• dissident
• insurgent
• rude
• wild
• peevish
• obstinate
• recusant
• noncooperative
• mutinous
• obdurate
• unmanageable
• inflexible
• fractious
• mulish
• implacable
• monkeying
• unbending
• immovable
• unyielding
• errant
• uncompromising
• headstrong
• hardheaded
• opinionated
• negativistic
• adamantine
• wrongheaded
• pertinacious
• ornery
• pigheaded
• undisciplined
• disorderly
• discourteous
• perverse
• impudent
• ungracious
• disrespectful
• misbehaving
• uncouth
• inconsiderate
• insolent
• impolite
• self-willed
• unmannerly
• nonconformist
• uncivil
• impertinent
• ill-mannered
• monkeyish
• ill-natured
• ill-bred

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• amenable
• cooperative
• docile
• tractable
• compliant
• obedient
• amiable
• submissive
• agreeable
• deferential
• conformable
• acquiescent
• behaved
• biddable
• yielding
• courteous
• obliging
• well-bred
• polite
• disciplined
• ruly
• servile
• proper
• obsequious
• respectful
• slavish
• subservient
• controllable
• orderly
• manageable
• decorous
• mannerly
• trainable
• kowtowing
• governable

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective balky contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of balky are contrary, perverse, restive, and wayward. While all these words mean "inclined to resist authority or control," balky suggests a refusing to proceed in a desired direction or course of action.

a balky witness

When would contrary be a good substitute for balky?

While in some cases nearly identical to balky, contrary implies a temperamental unwillingness to accept orders or advice.

a contrary child

In what contexts can perverse take the place of balky?

While the synonyms perverse and balky are close in meaning, perverse may imply wrongheaded, determined, or cranky opposition to what is reasonable or normal.

a perverse, intractable critic

When is it sensible to use restive instead of balky?

Although the words restive and balky have much in common, restive suggests unwillingness or inability to submit to discipline or follow orders.

tired soldiers growing restive

When is wayward a more appropriate choice than balky?

The words wayward and balky can be used in similar contexts, but wayward suggests strong-willed capriciousness and irregularity in behavior.

a school for wayward youths

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of balky

On a drizzly Saturday morning late last month, the basement of the New Paltz United Methodist Church filled with old lamps, blunt knives, malfunctioning sound mixers and balky zippers. — ABC News, 7 June 2026

Christian Yelich missed a month with a groin strain, returned to the lineup Tuesday and then didn’t play a game again until Sunday due to his balky back. — Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 May 2026

Losing his grip Even with his career at its pinnacle and before his back became chronically balky, Woods found his way onto tabloid headlines. — Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2026

The Legislature should pass her plan to streamline the balky State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) for construction. — New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 7 Apr. 2026