Balk — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /ˈbȯk/

Meaning & Definition of Balk

Balk (verb)

  1. to refuse abruptly —used with at
  2. to stop short and refuse to proceed
  3. to commit a balk

Balk (noun)

  1. an occurrence in which a pitcher stops suddenly or makes an illegal movement after starting to throw a pitch
  2. failure of a competitor to complete a motion (such as a jump, vault, or dive)
  3. the space behind the balkline on a billiard table

Balk (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. something that makes movement or progress difficult

    "the constant interruptions proved to be a balk to the flow of conversation"

    similar: bar, block, chain, clog, cramp, crimp, deterrent, drag, embarrassment, encumbrance, fetter, handicap, hindrance, holdback, hurdle, impediment, inhibition, interference, let, manacle, obstacle, obstruction, shackles, stop, stumbling block, trammel
    related: catch, hitch, rub, snag, barrier, blockade, blockage, brick wall, stone wall, arrest, bit, brake, check, constraint, curb, hobble, rein, restraint, embargo, stoppage, delay, holdup, stall, burden, cumber, load, danger, hazard, peril, reef, adversity, difficulty, disadvantage, drawback, hardship
    near: catalyst, goad, impetus, incentive, spur, stimulant, stimulus, advantage, break, edge, aid, assistance, benefit, boost, handmaiden, help

Balk (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. 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"

    similar: baffle, beat, checkmate, discomfit, foil, frustrate, thwart
    related: bar, block, clog, encumber, fetter, hamper, handicap, hinder, hobble, hold back, impede, inhibit, interfere (with), manacle, obstruct, shackle, tie up, trammel, arrest, check, halt, set back, short-circuit, stall, stop, avert, forestall, obviate, preclude, prevent, negate, neutralize, nullify, counteract, offset, conquer, defeat, overcome
    opposite: advance, cultivate, encourage, forward, foster, further, nurture, promote
    near: abet, aid, assist, ease, facilitate, smooth

Related Entry: Balk (at) (verb)

Balk (at) is a different word from Balk. The synonyms below are for balk (at), not for balk.

  1. to show unwillingness to accept, do, engage in, or agree to

    "she balked at lending him any more money"

    similar: decline, deselect, disapprove, negative, nix, pass, pass up, refuse, reject, reprobate, repudiate, spurn, throw out, throw over, turn down, turn one's back on
    related: blow off, disdain, rebuff, scorn, scout, shoot down, overrule, veto, forbid, prohibit, proscribe, dismiss, ignore, abstain (from), forbear, refrain (from), deny, disavow, disclaim, dispute, gainsay, stick, abjure, forswear, recant, renounce, retract, take back, unsay, withdraw, avoid, bypass, detour, contradict, disown, negate, controvert, disagree (with), disprove, rebut, refute, back down, back off, backtrack, disallow, recall, renege, revoke
    opposite: accept, agree (to), approve
    near: condone, countenance, swallow, tolerate, adopt, embrace, receive, take, welcome, accede, acquiesce, agree, assent, consent, choose, handpick, select, espouse, support

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Balk

The most common words with a similar meaning to Balk:

bar, block, chain, clog, cramp, crimp, deterrent, drag, embarrassment, encumbrance, fetter, handicap, hindrance, holdback, hurdle, impediment, inhibition, interference, let, manacle, obstacle, obstruction, shackles, stop, stumbling block, trammel, baffle, beat, checkmate, discomfit, foil, frustrate, thwart

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Balk

Words with the opposite meaning of Balk:

advance, cultivate, encourage, forward, foster, further, nurture, promote

Related Words for Balk

catch, hitch, rub, snag, barrier, blockade, blockage, brick wall, stone wall, arrest, bit, brake, check, constraint, curb, hobble, rein, restraint, embargo, stoppage, delay, holdup, stall, burden, cumber, load, danger, hazard, peril, reef

Near Antonyms of Balk

catalyst, goad, impetus, incentive, spur, stimulant, stimulus, advantage, break, edge, aid, assistance, benefit, boost, handmaiden, help, abet, assist, ease, facilitate, smooth

Word Forms of Balk

Inflections: balked, balking, balks

Derived words: balker (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Balk

Middle English balkyn "to leave an unplowed ridge between furrows, omit, neglect," verbal derivative of balk, balke "strip of unplowed land between fields" balk:2

First known use: 15th centuryt

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Balk

Frequently Asked Questions about Balk

What does "Balk" mean?

"Balk" means to refuse abruptly —used with at. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to refuse abruptly —used with at. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Balk"?

Other words for "Balk" include bar, block, chain, clog, cramp, crimp, deterrent and drag. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Balk" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Balk"?

There are 94 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Balk". Common alternatives include bar, block, chain, clog, cramp, crimp, deterrent, drag, embarrassment and encumbrance.

What is the opposite of "Balk"?

Antonyms of "Balk" include advance, cultivate, encourage, forward, foster, further, nurture and promote. Near antonyms include catalyst, goad, impetus and incentive.

How do you use "Balk" in a sentence?

Examples of "Balk" in a sentence: "the constant interruptions proved to be a balk to the flow of conversation"; "a young man with big dreams who refused to be balked by the many challenges he faced in making them a reality".

Is "Balk" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Balk" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

Is "Balk" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C2-level word, "Balk" is typical of Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE), IELTS band 8.5–9.0, TOEFL iBT 114–120, PTE Academic 85–90. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Balk"?

"Balk" is pronounced /ˈbȯk/.