balk 1 of 2

noun

Definition of balknext
as in obstacle
something that makes movement or progress difficult the constant interruptions proved to be a balk to the flow of conversation

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

balk

2 of 2

verb

ˈbȯk How to pronounce balk (audio)
as in to frustrate
to prevent from achieving a goal a young man with big dreams who refused to be balked by the many challenges he faced in making them a reality

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
The Royals initially got a third run in the frame via a Vodnik balk that scored Jensen from third, but after the umpires met to discuss, it was overturned. — Miami Herald, 1 Sep. 2026 The balk that wasn’t called a balk put the Cubs up in arms, and rightfully so, as Crow-Armstrong said. — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2026
Verb
The powers that be balked at the sequel’s 48 percent drop from the first installment’s $125 million worldwide gross, which outperformed any and all expectations back in 2017. — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2026 Did investors balk at the offering price or the company’s growth outlook? — Morgan Chittum, Fortune, 6 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for balk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for balk
  1. obstacle
  2. frustrate
  3. hurdle
  4. thwart
  5. embarrassment
  6. baffle
  7. obstruction
  8. stop
Noun
  • There’s outward social and internalized pressure on the Dashwood sisters to marry, and do it quickly, but per any Austen tale, the path is blotchy and blocked by obstacles and second-guessing.
    — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 13 Oct. 2026
  • During robot operation, LiDAR supplies information about the surrounding environment, helping the framework account for obstacles and available clearance.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of obstacle
Verb
  • Since then, Qatar has been frustrated by allegations leveled by Israeli political leaders that its payments to Gaza had helped finance the deadliest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust.
    — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Wright acknowledged that people are frustrated with the additional costs.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of frustrate
Noun
  • Our main hurdle has always been convincing people to pay for a cinema ticket to watch two episodes of a series.
    — Annika Pham, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Most of the K-pop festivals that have been announced over the last few years never went ahead due to various logistical hurdles.
    — Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of hurdle
Verb
  • Scott McNutt of Robbinsville, New Jersey, argues that the ban, which was put in place to thwart tax evasion, is unconstitutional.
    — Gretchen Reynolds, Washington Post, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Meanwhile, Katie’s out here trying to get people to vote for Michael at the roundtable in order to thwart Victor’s plans to get Tomica out.
    — Alice Burton, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of thwart
Noun
  • What about art that makes one cringe with embarrassment at its existence?
    — Eugenie Brinkema, ARTnews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Chronicling the hyper-niche behaviors that define our online existence, Berlant describes the seemingly inescapable embarrassment of wasting one’s life away in an endless scroll.
    — Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of embarrassment
Verb
  • But Danny Niemela, a contractor at ArDan Construction, says that the process baffles him.
    — Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Beyond being frustrated with the secrecy, locals said they were baffled by the lack of specifics and clarity the stakeholders had about the project, per the records.
    — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of baffle
Noun
  • Much of Argentina is flat, allowing AM signals to travel hundreds of miles without obstruction.
    — Jordan Salama, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Thompson was charged and ended up pleaded guilty to one count of obstruction of justice and one count of misprision of a felony.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of obstruction
Verb
  • That has left many companies unable to stop the theft of American IP and made investment riskier.
    — Andrei Iancu, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Project Nessie was intended to stop retail price-matching practices from creating unsustainably low prices, the e-commerce giant said.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of stop

Phrases Containing balk

Browse Nearby Words

bales
balk
balkanized
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Cite this Entry

“Balk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/balk. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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