balked

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.

When insurers balked, the company turned around and billed patients’ families, dragging them into financial and legal turmoil and disrupting care for their disabled children.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 3, 2026

Trump told The Wall Street Journal several months ago that he balked at wearing compression stockings—a typical treatment.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 31, 2026

Fans have more recently balked at the cost of a seat at a match.

From MarketWatch • May 14, 2026

Some balked when Nolen began talking about passing zoning rules, she said.

From Salon • May 3, 2026

He remembered how his mother’s family had balked at the idea that the police had a permanent presence at school when they’d heard at Thanksgiving the past year.

From "Anger Is a Gift" by Mark Oshiro