as in obstacle
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 to frustrate
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
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Recent Examples of balk
ABC News, 22 May 2026
However, the Clippers regained the advantage for good on a solo homer and a run-scoring balk.
—Staff Report, Twin Cities, 17 May 2026
Ashlea Halpern, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 June 2026
Higher education is under siege, with many students and parents balking at high costs.
—Washington Post, 10 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for balk
Noun
Colton Cowser singled to put runners on the corners and Taveras scored on a balk to tie it 4-4.
—ABC News, 22 May 2026
However, the Clippers regained the advantage for good on a solo homer and a run-scoring balk.
—Staff Report, Twin Cities, 17 May 2026
Verb
The food was excellent and varied enough for adults, but the chefs didn’t balk when Julian, deep in his beige-food era, requested pizza and fries.
—Ashlea Halpern, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 June 2026
Higher education is under siege, with many students and parents balking at high costs.
—Washington Post, 10 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for balk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for balk
Noun
-
Autonomy in this case involves being able to reach destinations by using camera images to navigate around obstacles such as craters and pits without the involvement of mission control.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
13 June 2026
-
Despite the obstacles, anticipation has been building across the capital.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
13 June 2026
Verb
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The move royally frustrated Senate Republicans.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
17 June 2026
-
Who wouldn’t be frustrated after watching a team leave more than 30 runners on base over the last few days?—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
17 June 2026
Noun
-
The city witnessed Carl Lewis win four Olympic gold medals, cheered Valerie Brisco-Hooks’ historic golden double and watched Edwin Moses extend his 400-meter hurdles unbeaten streak.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
13 June 2026
-
The antitrust hurdle cleared by Paramount comes as state attorneys general in California, New York and almost a dozen other states are contemplating an antitrust suit to put the brakes on what would become a mega-studio.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
12 June 2026
Verb
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Federal authorities arrested multiple people in connection with an alleged plot to target the Ultimate Fighting Championship event at the White House, thwarting an attack that court documents say would have involved drones, explosive devices and multiple gunmen.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
17 June 2026
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Secure Boot is designed to thwart UEFI bootkits, a form of malware that alters the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface, the successor to the BIOS, both of which begin the initial boot sequence.—
Dan Goodin,
ArsTechnica,
17 June 2026
Noun
-
The Moscow attack was the latest embarrassment for Putin.—
Barry Hatton,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
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Democrats aren't buying it, saying the White House is simply trying to avoid an embarrassment for the president.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
18 June 2026
Verb
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New York Knicks radio broadcaster Tyler Murray was baffled Wednesday night.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
11 June 2026
-
Social media is thick with ex-players baffled that their years in uniform count for so little with modern decision-makers.—
Tyler Kepner,
New York Times,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
Julie Chrisley was also charged with wire fraud and obstruction of justice.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
12 June 2026
-
Fans were arrested on charges such as suspicion of assault on a police officer, criminal possession of a weapon (a knife), reckless endangerment, criminal mischief, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, obstruction of governmental administration, and trademark counterfeiting, the NYPD said.—
Meredith Deliso,
ABC News,
12 June 2026
Verb
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Dallas Cowboys fans can stop wondering if George Pickens will be the latest holdout or hold in for the franchise because on Tuesday, the receiver cleared the air by reporting to mandatory minicamp.—
Briana Aldridge,
CBS News,
17 June 2026
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This often meant that European nations recruited talented footballers from their former colonies to stop them from playing elsewhere.—
Simon Hughes,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Balk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/balk. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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