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Showing results for balky. Search instead for avbalka.
Definitions

balky

[baw-kee] / ˈbɔ ki /
ADJECTIVE
uncooperative
Synonyms
STRONGEST
unruly
WEAK
averse contrary hesitant immovable indisposed inflexible intractable loath negative negativistic obstinate ornery perverse reluctant stubborn unbending unmanageable unpredictable
Antonyms
WEAK
cooperative

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.

Maintaining and fixing a balky machine teaches necessary humility.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 5, 2025

There’s an argument to be made that the feds could believe they have a balky case and want to bloody up Adams in the public eye ahead of a trial.

From Slate • Sep. 12, 2024

Hudson had back-to-back Tommy John surgeries in 2012 and 2013, but he was derailed by a pair of balky knees in 2022 and 2023.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 7, 2024

We got the first portable computers, which were bulky and balky.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 27, 2024

There he was immersed in an effort to produce high-energy protons to probe the atomic nucleus, using his balky Tesla coils and Van de Graaff generators.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik