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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of balk
Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2025
López was charged with a balk, made a throwing error and surrendered four runs (two earned) and eight hits, including four with two strikes, all before the fourth inning.
—Dan Hayes, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Sam Mednick, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2025
The cease-fire was supposed to last as long as talks on the second phase continued but Netanyahu balked at entering substantive negotiations.
—Ibrahim Hazboun, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for balk
Noun
Carlsbad 1, JSerra 0: The winning run came home on a balk in the 10th inning for Carlsbad.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2025
López was charged with a balk, made a throwing error and surrendered four runs (two earned) and eight hits, including four with two strikes, all before the fourth inning.
—Dan Hayes, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Verb
The ceasefire was supposed to remain in place as long as talks on the second phase continued, but Netanyahu balked at entering substantive negotiations.
—Sam Mednick, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2025
The cease-fire was supposed to last as long as talks on the second phase continued but Netanyahu balked at entering substantive negotiations.
—Ibrahim Hazboun, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for balk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for balk
Noun
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Your passion must propel you forward when obstacles arise.—
Jay Ruderman,
Rolling Stone,
9 Apr. 2025
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Many beneficiaries already face obstacles getting through to the Social Security’s phone lines to make an in-person appointment and then need to drive to a field office, said Kathleen Romig, director of Social Security and disability policy at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.—
Lorie Konish,
CNBC,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The team settled on a patient with SD Autism Spectrum disorder who had an ankle sprain but frustrated Dr. Langdon (Patrick Ball) with his endless questions.—
Chris O'Falt,
IndieWire,
10 Apr. 2025
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Although so highly esteemed, the notoriously taciturn director would often frustrate his colleagues by his reticence to explain his directorial intentions.—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Apr. 2025
Noun
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These financial hurdles can lead to the perception that technology adoption simply isn’t worth it.—
James Lindsey,
Forbes.com,
18 Apr. 2025
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Despite these hurdles, experts agree that digital twins represent the future of sports.—
Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report,
FOXNews.com,
17 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Our favorite bike locks for every ride, including new locks designed to thwart angle grinders.—
Scott Gilbertson,
Wired News,
9 Apr. 2025
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Tanya and Greg were Season 2’s returning characters, and the season ended with Tanya accidentally dying while trying to thwart a murder plot, apparently arranged by Greg’s associates.—
Noel Murray,
New York Times,
6 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Around 2010 to 2011, as Woods walked knee-deep in the funk of public embarrassment, endless injuries and a broken swing, the door swung open to players desperate for space in major tournaments.—
Brendan Quinn,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
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Maybe Thursday is the start of something, of a retreat from embarrassment.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Two endangered whales are baffling researchers by continuing to show up along a stretch of U.S coast that is not part of their turf, according to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries.—
Mark Price,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2025
-
President Donald Trump’s mass tariffs have baffled Americans, creating uncertainty for the average consumer, according to industry leaders.—
Charles Singh,
USA Today,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Meanwhile, Michael was previously arrested in 2020 and charged with a misdemeanor offense of criminal obstruction of breathing and second-degree harassment.—
Christina Dugan Ramirez,
Fox News,
18 Mar. 2025
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Since the start of 2025, 26 drivers have been injured in traffic incidents in Missouri caused by foreign objects or obstructions in the road, according to Missouri State Highway Patrol data.—
Ilana Arougheti,
Kansas City Star,
14 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The confrontation stopped and restarted as the man appeared to try to get the knife away from Perez over the fence.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
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When the American money stopped flowing, the local soup kitchen closed and Ms. Musa went out searching for food.—
Declan Walsh,
New York Times,
19 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Balk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/balk. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
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