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Definitions

balk

[bawk] / bɔk /
VERB
stop short
Synonyms
STRONGEST
flinch hesitate recoil refuse resist turn down
STRONG
cramp crimp demur desist dodge evade shirk shy
WEAK
shrink from
Antonyms
STRONGEST
OK accept face meet
WEAK
aid help make easier
VERB
thwart
Synonyms
STRONGEST
disappoint stall
STRONG
baffle bar beat check circumvent counteract cramp dash defeat disconcert foil forestall frustrate hinder obstruct prevent ruin stop
WEAK
cramp one's style throw a curve throw monkey wrench in upset the apple cart
Antonyms
STRONG
abet advance aid allow assist encourage facilitate help inspirit let go lose permit promote support surrender
WEAK
make easier

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But then came a balk that scored the winning run in El Camino Real’s 1-0 victory.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 6, 2026

Megacap tech stocks are struggling as investors balk at the massive spending on AI infrastructure, seemingly worried about the possibility that the return on investment might be too weak to justify the tremendous cost.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 27, 2026

But still, many residents balk at the sight of their pavement space being taken away.

From BBC • Feb. 25, 2026

Boston Dynamics will also lease the robots, hoping to bring in customers who might balk at an upfront capital outlay.

From Barron's • Jan. 6, 2026

He’d need a very specialized team, a desperate team that wouldn’t balk at the real possibility that they’d never come back from this job.

From "Six of Crows" by Leigh Bardugo