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
Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2025
The teams scored eight runs in a 46-minute first inning, which featured seven walks, a hit batter, an umpires conference, two balks, all nine batters for both teams coming to the plate.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Apr. 2025
Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 2 July 2025
The company is getting squeezed by independent coffee shops, growing chains like Blank Street Coffee and Blue Bottle Coffee and drive-thru companies such as Dutch Bros. Customers have also balked at Starbucks’ prices.
—Maya Blackstone, CNN Money, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for balk
Noun
Dodgers After pregame trade disrupts Giants, Dodgers power their way to series victory
June 15, 2025
Tatis was allowed to stay on second, and eventually came around to score when Michael Kopech entered the game and stumbled on a throw with the bases loaded, resulting in a run-scoring balk.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2025
The teams scored eight runs in a 46-minute first inning, which featured seven walks, a hit batter, an umpires conference, two balks, all nine batters for both teams coming to the plate.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Apr. 2025
Verb
At a meeting Tuesday, some county commissioners balked at a proposal to lift a subsidy cap that was imposed on the retail theme park when a different commission approved the project in 2018.
—Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 2 July 2025
The company is getting squeezed by independent coffee shops, growing chains like Blank Street Coffee and Blue Bottle Coffee and drive-thru companies such as Dutch Bros. Customers have also balked at Starbucks’ prices.
—Maya Blackstone, CNN Money, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for balk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for balk
Noun
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This pattern of persecution, especially when combined with ongoing habitat loss, has likely contributed to low recruitment and remains a major obstacle to population recovery.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
26 July 2025
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Extreme heat can also be an obstacle to exercising, spending time in nature, and socializing, all of which can make people feel good and also double as important coping mechanisms for emotional distress.—
Yasmin Tayag,
The Atlantic,
26 July 2025
Verb
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The men's families and supporters were frustrated with the pace of the hearing.—
Christina Hall,
Freep.com,
31 July 2025
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Not being able to offer a heart-lung transplant in Austin frustrates Fraser.—
Nicole Villalpando,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
Noun
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Scaling its use requires overcoming hurdles related to the transportation of bulky materials, establishing local milling facilities and securing access to renewable energy.—
Sahit Muja,
Forbes.com,
24 July 2025
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One reason for the unexpectedly slow pace is that the Chinese companies have not cleared a key engineering hurdle.—
Selam Gebrekidan,
New York Times,
24 July 2025
Verb
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Thus, they are thwarted in their villainous intentions to use AGI and ASI to be criminal collaborators.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
30 July 2025
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If your home’s humidity is consistently over 60%, consider buying a dehumidifier to thwart mold, Chew says.—
Matt Fuchs,
Time,
28 July 2025
Noun
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One student talked about the vulnerability and embarrassment of having to go to a TA's office hours for help and the flexibility of having multi-hour tutoring sessions available via ChatGPT at any time of the day.—
Kyle Orland,
ArsTechnica,
29 July 2025
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The episode marks another embarrassment for the Secret Service, following a beleaguered year for the organization.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
29 July 2025
Verb
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Money terms and concepts continue to baffle people, many of whom are seeking answers through online searches.—
Russ Wiles,
USA Today,
12 July 2025
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Even with the other guys' admonitions not to, under any circumstances, be themselves, Dee and Charlie's improbable success in charming these scions of the Philly upper crust had the guys — and us — both baffled and anxiously awaiting an ugly twist.—
Dennis Perkins,
EW.com,
10 July 2025
Noun
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Julie was additionally convicted of obstruction of justice and wire fraud.—
Jay Stahl,
USA Today,
25 July 2025
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Singer pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy, conspiracy to defraud the United States and obstruction of justice.—
Eric Levenson,
CNN Money,
24 July 2025
Verb
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Shortly after Braun’s executive order, the Indiana Department of Health told local health departments to stop accepting requests to change genders on birth certificates.—
Marissa Meador,
IndyStar,
24 July 2025
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Break it up by stopping at the St. Regis Travel Center in St. Regis, Montana, for a huckleberry milkshake.—
Sal Vaglica,
USA Today,
23 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Balk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/balk. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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