Antonyms for balk
| Grammar : Verb |
| Spell : bawk |
| Phonetic Transcription : bɔk |
Definition of balk
Origin :- Old English balca "ridge, bank," from or influenced by Old Norse balkr "ridge of land," especially between two plowed furrows, both from Proto-Germanic *balkan-, *belkan- (cf. Old Saxon balko, Danish bjelke, Old Frisian balka, Old High German balcho, German Balken "beam, rafter"), from PIE *bhelg- "beam, plank" (cf. Latin fulcire "to prop up, support," fulcrum "bedpost;" Lithuanian balziena "cross-bar;" and possibly Greek phalanx "trunk, log, line of battle"). Modern senses are figurative, representing the balk as a hindrance or obstruction (see balk (v.)). Baseball sense is first attested 1845.
- verb stop short
- verb thwart
- It seemed that nothing could balk her ambition in that direction.
- Extract from : « Ruth Fielding and the Gypsies » by Alice B. Emerson
- This was her first intimation that Republicans might balk at enfranchising women.
- Extract from : « Susan B. Anthony » by Alma Lutz
- He says that half of it is mine, but he may balk on taking charge.
- Extract from : « David Lannarck, Midget » by George S. Harney
- Grace and Cora almost collided in their attempt to balk Nancy.
- Extract from : « A Little Miss Nobody » by Amy Bell Marlowe
- He wanted to get up, and Lucy felt it would be brutal to balk any wish he had.
- Extract from : « The Explorer » by W. Somerset Maugham
- For the second time that evening he did not balk fate by fearing it.
- Extract from : « The Trail of the Hawk » by Sinclair Lewis
- When it comes to starving a woman in cold blood, my conscience begins to balk.
- Extract from : « Virginia » by Ellen Glasgow
- Now he made up his mind that nothing should balk him in the present attempt.
- Extract from : « The Secret Wireless » by Lewis E. Theiss
- And this was the howl that called Frank forth in time to balk its purpose.
- Extract from : « Ungava » by R.M. Ballantyne
- It was so, then there was nothing to balk at, it was complete between them.
- Extract from : « The Rainbow » by D. H. (David Herbert) Lawrence
Synonyms for balk
- baffle
- bar
- beat
- check
- circumvent
- counteract
- cramp
- cramp one's style
- crimp
- dash
- defeat
- demur
- desist
- disappoint
- disconcert
- dodge
- evade
- flinch
- foil
- forestall
- frustrate
- hesitate
- hinder
- obstruct
- prevent
- recoil
- refuse
- resist
- ruin
- shirk
- shrink from
- shy
- stall
- stop
- throw a curve
- throw monkey wrench in
- turn down
- upset apple cart
- upset the apple cart
Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019