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
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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
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Recent Examples of balk
Mike Digiovanna, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2024
Yes, but: In the final game of the season, the Rockies lost in Rockies fashion when a balk by the pitcher sent home the Dodgers go-ahead run in the eighth inning.
—John Frank, Axios, 30 Sep. 2024
Jordana Comiter, People.com, 19 Feb. 2025
The idea of trading natural resources for U.S. assistance was first put forward by Ukraine, but Mr. Zelensky balked when the U.S. proposal suggested that Kyiv provide access to profits from 50 percent of the country’s minerals and energy resources.
—Andrew E. Kramer, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for balk
Noun
But Tommy Edman provided a spark with a two-out single to right in the sixth and took second on a balk.
—Mike Digiovanna, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2024
Yes, but: In the final game of the season, the Rockies lost in Rockies fashion when a balk by the pitcher sent home the Dodgers go-ahead run in the eighth inning.
—John Frank, Axios, 30 Sep. 2024
Verb
Here's why everyone is sharing silly videos of their partners and friends – and balking at them being their emergency contact
Comments
Naming someone as your emergency contact is a significant gesture of trust — whether or not they’re actually prepared for the responsibility.
—Jordana Comiter, People.com, 19 Feb. 2025
The idea of trading natural resources for U.S. assistance was first put forward by Ukraine, but Mr. Zelensky balked when the U.S. proposal suggested that Kyiv provide access to profits from 50 percent of the country’s minerals and energy resources.
—Andrew E. Kramer, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for balk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for balk
Noun
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In Court Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Clues And Answers For Thursday, March 6th ‘Hamilton’ Cancels Kennedy Center Show Run In Protest Of Trump’s ‘Purge’ Despite these obstacles, female founders demonstrate remarkable resilience and innovation.—
Geri Stengel,
Forbes,
6 Mar. 2025
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Trump, much like Putin, sees Ukraine as an inconvenience, an obstacle, something that should be grateful to even have a seat at the table.—
Illia Ponomarenko,
TIME,
6 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Struggling to adapt to announcements regarding trade, and whether to treat them as threats that may not evolve into policy, has frustrated Hassane El-Khoury, CEO of ON Semiconductor.—
Tommy Tuberville,
Newsweek,
7 Mar. 2025
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The use of generic, impersonal responses frustrates customers.—
Rob Lancit,
Forbes,
7 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Gathering at Scripps Research’s third annual Pandemic Preparedness Symposium last week, researchers working in virology and chemistry did not bother to debate whether or not H5N1 avian influenza will clear this rapidly shrinking hurdle.—
Paul Sisson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 Mar. 2025
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Today, these hurdles are now compounded by the circumstances of a mediatized, globalized present in which artworks are readily circulated and recontextualized online—made hyper-visible through social media and simultaneously flattened by the internet’s immediacy.—
Fabiola Iza,
Artforum,
1 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Each side involved must marshal the supplies, troops and firepower needed to sustain the fight, thwart advancing armies and, hopefully, prevail.—
Benjamin Jensen,
The Conversation,
7 Mar. 2025
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The latter, with hundreds of billions worth of military equipment from the U.S. and Europe, thwarted much of Russia’s incursion into Ukraine during the three-year war.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
7 Mar. 2025
Noun
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This isn’t just about saving influencers from embarrassment.—
Paige Musto,
Forbes,
25 Feb. 2025
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The energetic big man tends to hand out the embarrassments to his opponents.—
Mike Kaye,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Feb. 2025
Verb
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That reluctance baffles Pérez and her colleague, Deputy Public Defender Amy Tao.—
CalMatters,
The Mercury News,
27 Feb. 2025
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Over the past few months, Bob Dylan has been baffling fans with surreal posts on his official social media platforms.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
27 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Rosario faces 20 years on the obstruction charge and five years for lying to the FBI.—
John Annese,
New York Daily News,
26 Feb. 2025
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This medication should not be used on pregnant or lactating animals, or animals with urinary, stomach or intestinal obstructions, high blood pressure or hyperthyroidism.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Often, women would wear the same watch for years, so why did the younger generations ever stop?—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
1 Mar. 2025
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Don’t stop the agreement that has already brought dozens of hostages back to us.—
Ibrahim Dahman,
CNN,
1 Mar. 2025
Articles Related to balk
Cite this Entry
“Balk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/balk. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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