BALKS Synonyms: 124 Similar and Opposite Words

balks 1 of 2

noun

plural of balk

as in obstacles

something that makes movement or progress difficult the constant interruptions proved to be a balk to the flow of conversation

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balks

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of balk

as in frustrates

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

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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 balks

Noun

Right now, the only things that are out there and subjective are check swings and balks. — Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 26 Mar. 2026 The balks and furrows, left undisturbed, had other uses too. — Literary Hub, 19 Feb. 2026

Verb

But when even dim-witted Chad also balks at the plan, Nora is forced to blackmail him into participating. — Todd Gilchrist, Variety, 27 Aug. 2026 That number certainly feels like something worth panicking over—the mind balks at all the zeros. — Will Gottsegen, The Atlantic, 26 Aug. 2026 Perhaps there's a fussy Phillies fan in footy pajamas who balks at the twice-daily ritual but might be more inclined to brush because Harper does it, as well. — CBS News, 28 May 2026 In response, Brennan balks at the idea — surely, Williams has experienced cooler things? — Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 28 Feb. 2026 Glushon balks at many of Raman’s positions, including her opposition to a law that allows the city to ban homeless people from the streets near schools. — Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026 But while Wall Street balks at the bountiful spending, tech companies are racing to build more infrastructure to keep up with customer demand for AI services. — Jennifer Elias, CNBC, 5 Feb. 2026 Minnehaha County Sheriff Mike Milstead balks at the comparison. — Angela George, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 5 Feb. 2026 Advertisement Glinda balks at the opportunity to straddle the broom with Elphaba and combine their powers to reach unlimited heights. — Time, 21 Nov. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for balks

Noun

Bond yields Persistent inflation, tariffs and whipsawing gas prices are not the only obstacles complicating the task for the Fed.

— Brian Cheung, NBC news, 28 Aug. 2026
Harley has some internal and external obstacles to make that happen.

— Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of obstacles

Verb

The nation’s paperwork regime frustrates every resident, and particularly lower-income residents who use more government programs and interact more frequently with public officials.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Aug. 2026
What frustrates him more is the way Americans talk about those caught in it.

— Victor Dey, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of frustrates

Verb

Heath pilots a fighter jet, deploys bombs in foreign countries, and thwarts cyberattacks, all after remarkably cursory and casual conversations with a government official.

— Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026
Another tactic is treating ship hulls with special paint that thwarts unwanted hitchhikers from latching on.

— ABC News, ABC News, 30 July 2026

Definition of thwarts

Noun

Even if a large storm has disrupted power lines or internet access, a high-quality walkie-talkie should transmit your communications, as long as there are no severe obstructions or blockage.

— BestReviews, Mercury News, 26 Aug. 2026
The bar also removed landscaping rocks and other potential obstructions to help water drain away from the property.

— Jasmine Arenas, CBS News, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of obstructions

Verb

Meanwhile, McGrew agreed to adjustments, including adding baffles to reduce sound from a attached generator for the tower and replacing tower fencing that incorporated barbed wire with taller, more natural looking fencing.

— Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2026
Using humane methods like squirrel baffles and tree nets can effectively keep squirrels out of your fruit trees.

— Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 18 June 2026

Definition of baffles

Noun

Sitting around a table in the soundstage where the pilot for I Love Lucy was filmed, the six of them tailored the roles to the actors and infused the script with arguments, embarrassments, and confessions from their own relationships.

— Eliana Dockterman, Time, 26 June 2026
The order to whitewash America’s historic sites of anything less than rosy about the nation’s past has led to some predictable embarrassments.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 June 2026