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balk

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb balk differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of balk are baffle, foil, frustrate, and thwart. While all these words mean "to check or defeat another's plan or block achievement of a goal," balk suggests the interposing of obstacles or hindrances.

officials felt that legal restrictions had balked their efforts to control crime

When is baffle a more appropriate choice than balk?

The words baffle and balk are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, baffle implies frustration by confusing or puzzling.

baffled by the maze of rules and regulations

When can foil be used instead of balk?

The synonyms foil and balk are sometimes interchangeable, but foil implies checking or defeating so as to discourage further effort.

foiled by her parents, he stopped trying to see her

When would frustrate be a good substitute for balk?

The words frustrate and balk can be used in similar contexts, but frustrate implies making vain or ineffectual all efforts however vigorous or persistent.

frustrated attempts at government reform

When is it sensible to use thwart instead of balk?

While in some cases nearly identical to balk, thwart suggests frustration or checking by crossing or opposing.

the army thwarted his attempt at a coup

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of 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
  • The branches of the military, which maintain their own communication networks, have their own obstacles.
    Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 14 July 2025
  • For Superman, that means preventing any of the negatives that do initially arise from becoming obstacles or bandwagon narratives in the press.
    Mark Hughes, Forbes.com, 12 July 2025
Verb
  • Huda then confided in Amaya, claiming the chain of events the night before went a bit differently than was shown, but she, too, was frustrated.
    Breanne L. Heldman, People.com, 14 July 2025
  • Herman was particularly frustrated with Comcast upload speeds, which are much slower than the cable service's download speeds.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 14 July 2025
Noun
  • 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
  • Operating the scanner on the dharanis presented a hurdle, however.
    Andrew Paul Jul 24, Popular Science, 24 July 2025
Verb
  • The concept and storyboard work began in the late 90s, but 9/11 happened and plans to film in Africa were thwarted.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 12 July 2025
  • Norton AntiVirus Plus excels with top scores from independent labs and includes a powerful Data Protector feature to thwart ransomware attacks.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 11 July 2025
Noun
  • The event was widely viewed as an embarrassment for the administration.
    Robert Schmad, The Washington Examiner, 18 July 2025
  • But as George points out, embarrassment is one of the biggest barriers to getting on track.
    Cheryl Robinson, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
Verb
  • Money terms and concepts continue to baffle people, many of whom are seeking answers through online searches.
    Russ Wiles, USA Today, 12 July 2025
  • 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
  • Julie was additionally convicted of obstruction of justice and wire fraud.
    Jay Stahl, USA Today, 25 July 2025
  • 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
  • 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
  • During a ride-along with Florida Highway Patrol in July, the Washington Examiner saw state troopers who were deputized to work with Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement stop drivers for traffic offenses and turn them over to federal immigration authorities in the region.
    Anna Giaritelli, The Washington Examiner, 23 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Balk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/balk. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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