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
Or trying to pay when the driver had no change or only a balky credit card device?
—
Roger Dooley, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025
Getting Mitchell off the ball more also balanced the offense and eased the load on Mitchell’s balky knees … and worked so well that the Cavs led the league in offensive efficiency.
—John Hollinger, New York Times, 14 Apr. 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
After balky hamstrings saddled him with an injury-prone label, Fulton has set career highs for tackles (51) and games (15).
—Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for balky
Roger Dooley, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025
Getting Mitchell off the ball more also balanced the offense and eased the load on Mitchell’s balky knees … and worked so well that the Cavs led the league in offensive efficiency.
—John Hollinger, New York Times, 14 Apr. 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
After balky hamstrings saddled him with an injury-prone label, Fulton has set career highs for tackles (51) and games (15).
—Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for balky
Recent Examples of Synonyms for balky
Adjective
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Mexican music has always been rock-ish in spirit — sincere, rebellious, a direct message that invites you to rebel against the world.—
Ernesto Lechner,
Los Angeles Times,
24 June 2025
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Strahovski shares details about her character’s state of mind the moment when everything changed with a bold and rebellious move, after finding love again with Commander Wharton (Josh Charles), below.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
22 June 2025
Adjective
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Serena became an integral part of the rebel movement to destroy Gilead.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
22 June 2025
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But on Friday, the beer maker said the situation had deteriorated further, and that armed personnel had taken control of its facilities in Bukavu and Goma - eastern Congo’s two biggest cities, now under rebel control - and nearby areas.—
Reuters,
CNN Money,
20 June 2025
Adjective
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That’s what makes their fourth studio album, Lucius, almost defiant in its return to form.—
Marissa R. Moss,
Rolling Stone,
11 June 2025
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Asked about his potential exit at the weekend while on international duty for Germany, Ter Stegen was defiant.—
Tom Sanderson,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2025
Adjective
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All of which can be employed by Musk or anyone else using AI to target us with false political advertising tailored to our most stubborn biases, further dividing us, manipulating elections and solidifying what has already become a fascist state.—
Sal Recchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
22 June 2025
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Then Curry, rattled by the monumental reverb of Kyrie’s shot, hurried into a stubborn approach on the ensuing possession, missed a desperate 3 over Kevin Love, who used his length and a rare display of defensive intensity to deny Curry a good look.—
David Aldridge,
New York Times,
22 June 2025
Adjective
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And the recalcitrant public statements by Mr. Trump and members of his cabinet have raised questions about whether his administration is openly defying the Supreme Court’s instructions — and what, if anything, might be done about that.—
Alan Feuer,
New York Times,
16 May 2025
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In response, these recalcitrant members of Congress simply refused to adopt must-pass federal reapportionment legislation.—
Made by History,
Time,
2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Cruz was the fourth of her parents’ eight children and willful from a young age.—
Rebecca Grant
June 24,
Literary Hub,
24 June 2025
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Importantly, and unlike the ICA, willful violations of the ADA can incur criminal penalties.—
Doug Criscitello,
Forbes.com,
12 May 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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And can answering that help to uncover some wayward finishers who could soon be about to click into a more clinical gear?—
Thom Harris,
New York Times,
21 June 2025
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There is no giant screen to prevent wayward balls from flying onto the road.—
Noah Trister,
Chicago Tribune,
13 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Balky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/balky. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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