as in obstacles
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 frustrates
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 balks
Trish Deitch, Variety, 17 Oct. 2025
If so, but your bank account balks at such a journey, just binge all six episodes of Prime’s latest mood quencher.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 26 Sep. 2025
For example, the person who balks at personal outreach or opts out of LinkedIn despite knowing that’s where recruiters look.
—Amy Lindgren, Twin Cities, 20 Sep. 2025
If a more powerful Nexstar balks at paying the affiliate fees required from its network partners such as NBC, ABC, CBS, and Fox, might any of those networks simply take matters into their own hands by seeking to partner with local cable operators and bypass their prior affiliates?
—Howard Homonoff, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Trump has said that if Putin balks at ending the war, there will be severe economic consequences for Russia.
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 19 Aug. 2025
The wealthy, somewhat callous protagonist (Washington here, Toshiro Mifune back in ‘63) initially balks at paying the ransom money and wiping out his business to save his friend’s son’s life.
—Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2025
Verb
Grace Penn balks at how dangerous sending an American submarine into English waters would be, and Hal, after asking Kate to leave, tells Grace that there’s a way to make this work.
—Trish Deitch, Variety, 17 Oct. 2025
If so, but your bank account balks at such a journey, just binge all six episodes of Prime’s latest mood quencher.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 26 Sep. 2025
For example, the person who balks at personal outreach or opts out of LinkedIn despite knowing that’s where recruiters look.
—Amy Lindgren, Twin Cities, 20 Sep. 2025
If a more powerful Nexstar balks at paying the affiliate fees required from its network partners such as NBC, ABC, CBS, and Fox, might any of those networks simply take matters into their own hands by seeking to partner with local cable operators and bypass their prior affiliates?
—Howard Homonoff, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Trump has said that if Putin balks at ending the war, there will be severe economic consequences for Russia.
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 19 Aug. 2025
The wealthy, somewhat callous protagonist (Washington here, Toshiro Mifune back in ‘63) initially balks at paying the ransom money and wiping out his business to save his friend’s son’s life.
—Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for balks
Noun
-
The television industry can be a competitive environment for emerging writers with no shortage of obstacles.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
28 Oct. 2025
-
The obstacles to higher uptake are multifold and stubborn.—
Elliot Haspel,
The Atlantic,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
That doesn’t always come in the form of on-court minutes, which frustrates segments of the fan base.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
14 Oct. 2025
-
This inconsistency frustrates drivers and reduces their confidence in public charging networks, further slowing EV adoption.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The journey to the pad involved challenges and hurdles in terms of engineering, financing, regulations and licensing — including 24 different permits from Queensland, along with environmental and airspace approvals — as well as finding a location for a launch pad.—
Andrew Jones,
Space.com,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Not that Lana needed any more hurdles to overcome.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
If possible, position yourself in a flat, open area with minimal tree cover, rocks, cliffs, or other obstructions that may block the sound of the whistle.—
Owen Clarke,
Outside,
1 Oct. 2025
-
In 2025, Roborock launched a vacuum cleaner with a robotic arm for moving socks and other obstructions out of the way.—
Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
21 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Take the quiz here … DUGOUT SECRETS – Mysterious wooden canoe found after Hurricane Ian still baffles experts three years later.—
,
FOXNews.com,
8 Oct. 2025
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One case that still baffles is the macabre story of Virginia McCullough, who killed her parents for their money – and then lived with their bodies for four years.—
KC Baker,
People.com,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
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For many, the glamour of it all seemed to be gone, replaced with a glossy series of embarrassments.—
Lyz Lenz,
Rolling Stone,
16 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Balks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/balks. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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