balk
verb (used without object)
to stop, as at an obstacle, and refuse to proceed or to do something specified (usually followed byat ).
balked
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past participleof balk.past participle
A verb form used in perfect and passive verb constructions and that can also function as a modifier.
-
past tense formof balk.past tense
Used to describe completed actions or previous habitual actions.
balkverb (used without object)to stop, as at an obstacle, and refuse to proceed or to do something specified (usually followed byat ).
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.
But his progress hit a wall when he, the school and its donors balked at sharply rising prices for talent.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 28, 2026
“Reframing a $1,200 purchase as a ~$40/month lease pulls forward real incremental demand from buyers who wanted to upgrade but balked at the lump sum,” Feinseth said.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 28, 2026
The claim addressed the rising concerns of business customers who have balked at the expense of running advanced AI systems.
From Barron's ● Jul. 24, 2026
In La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, many balked at the idea that the eight men killed posed a threat to the U.S.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 20, 2026
Most of the reporters, and much of the crowd, believed that Riddle had simply balked at the 132-pound impost and didn’t care enough about the consequences of scratching to do the sportsmanlike thing.
From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand
