balky

Synonyms for balky

adj uncooperative

adjective. ornery

adjective. bad, contradictory

adjective. bad, contradictory

adjective. impatient, nervous

1847, from balk (n.) + -y (2). Related: Balkily; balkiness.

He insisted doggedly on his rôle as a balky ox and scowled at the teamster.

You buy a lot of half-broken, bucking, balky teams because you can get 'em cheap.

The horse proved to be an obstreperous, balky thing, and as contrary as a mule.

It leaked, and it steered like a balky mule, but what of that?

I urged it, as a farmer urges a balky horse, but it refused to move forward.

Stover came to a balky stop, hastily snatching away his derby.

A balky horse ought not to be trusted to a child of your age.'

Why is a woman who tries to drive a balky horse like a successful actress?

Roosevelt, Rockefeller, and Pierpont Morgan are just like this balky horse.

The engine was balky and bucky with the cold, and the chauffeur in a like mood.