balk
verb (used without object)
to stop, as at an obstacle, and refuse to proceed or to do something specified (usually followed byat ).
has balked
-
present perfectof balk (3rd person singular).present perfect
Used to describe actions that started in the past and continue into or have direct relevance to the present.
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.
While teams worry and the WBC’s insurance provider has balked at insuring a few athletes, the players are the ones driving the event—they want to be out there, because they’ve decided this thing really counts.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 5, 2026
YouTube TV — now one of the largest pay-TV services in the U.S. — has balked at Disney’s price demands, leading to the outage.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 3, 2025
Sweeney has balked at talking about it in recent interviews.
From Salon ● Aug. 24, 2025
Niger has balked at approving some of those clearances in recent months, American officials said.
From New York Times ● May 19, 2024
The hypocrisy of it all is doubly accentuated by the curious fact that the British public permits trafficking in the promenades of its theatres, such as even New York has balked at these many years.
From Europe After 8:15 by Thomas H. Benton
