BALKS (AT) Synonyms: 87 Similar and Opposite Words

balks (at)

verb

present tense third-person singular of balk (at)

as in refuses

to show unwillingness to accept, do, engage in, or agree to she balked at lending him any more money

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for balks (at)

Verb

Despite the seriocomic set-up, as Vibeke gets more unstable, Mengel refuses to play her irrationality for laughs, instead taking the more difficult route of earnestness.

— Jessica Kiang, Variety, 7 July 2026
Out of loyalty to her father, Rhaenyra refuses, eventually deciding to send him north to the Wall.

— Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 6 July 2026

Definition of refuses

Verb

Previous controversy While the Missouri Young Republicans group rejects the core of the allegations, the lawsuit isn’t the first time a young Republican organization has courted controversy.

— Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 7 July 2026
Over the decades of Catcher’s fame, the novel has gained a reputation as the tale of a teenager who rejects nearly everything.

— Lily Meyer, The Atlantic, 7 July 2026

Definition of rejects

Verb

Many international students pay full tuition, turning them an increasingly important source of revenue as domestic enrollment declines.

— Scott White, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
Alan Jackson declines comment With that, the judge left the bench, taking no comment or questions from the lawyers present.

— Kristina Rex, CBS News, 1 July 2026

Definition of declines

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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balks

balks (at)

balky

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“Balks (at).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/balks%20%28at%29. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of balks (at)

verb

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