balks (at)

verb

present tense third-person singular of balk (at)
as in refuses
to show unwillingness to accept, do, engage in, or agree to she balked at lending him any more money

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for balks (at)
  1. refuses
  2. rejects
  3. declines
Verb
  • That ending In the film, Bela refuses to let Other Mommy into her heart, per the demon’s constant request.
    — William Earl, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Jackie is one reason the earlier book refuses to become a simple brief for more voluntary family.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of refuses
Verb
  • But in his Senate bid, Jackson now openly rejects corporate PAC money.
    — Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Related Stories To uncover the truth, Emma has no choice but to return to the Breton island of Kerlann, where tragedy struck and where everyone rejects her — including her son, who sees her as his father’s murderer.
    — Ed Meza, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of rejects
Verb
  • Consumer Edge data similarly showed McDonald's year-over-year spending share declines narrowing across every income group in September.
    — Brandon Gomez, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Given her experience, Emily declines to participate in another trial.
    — Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of declines
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.

Browse Nearby Words

balks
balks (at)
balky
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Cite this Entry

“Balks (at).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/balks%20%28at%29. Accessed 13 Oct. 2026.

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