Synonyms for balk
bɔkbalk

English Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. balk

   To hinder is to keep from action, progress, motion, or growth, or to make such action, progress, motion, or growth later in beginning or completion than it would otherwise have been. An action is prevented by anything that comes in before it to make it impossible; it is hindered by anything that keeps it from either beginning or ending so soon as it otherwise would, or as expected or intended. It is more common, however, to say that the start is delayed, the progress hindered. An action that is hindered does not take place at the appointed or appropriate time; that which is prevented does not take place at all; to hinder a thing long enough may amount to preventing it. A railroad-train may be hindered by a snow-storm from arriving on time; it may by special order be prevented from starting. To retard is simply to make slow by any means whatever. To obstruct is to hinder, or possibly to prevent advance or passage by putting something in the way; to oppose or resist is to hinder, or possibly to prevent by directly contrary or hostile action, resist being the stronger term and having more suggestion of physical force; obstructed roads hinder the march of an enemy, tho there may be no force strong enough to oppose it; one opposes a measure, a motion, an amendment, or the like; it is a criminal offense to resist an officer in the discharge of his duty; the physical system may resist the attack of disease or the action of a remedy. Compare CONQUER; IMPEDIMENT; OBSTRUCT.

   See synonyms for QUICKEN.

   Synonyms:
   baffle, bar, block, check, clog, counteract, delay, embarrass, encumber, foil, frustrate, hamper, hinder, impede, interrupt, obstruct, oppose, prevent, resist, retard, stay, stop, thwart

   Preposition:
   Hinder one in his progress; from acting promptly; by opposition.

Complete Dictionary of Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. balk

   Synonyms:
   estop, bar, thwart, frustrate, foil, stop, prevent, hinder, neutralize, nullify, mar, counteract, disappoint, defeat, baffle

   Antonyms:
   aid, abet, promote, advance, encourage, instigate

Princeton's WordNetRate these synonyms:1.0 / 1 vote

1. balk, baulknoun

   the area on a billiard table behind the balkline

   "a player with ball in hand must play from the balk"

   Synonyms:
   rafter, impediment, hinderance, check, baulk, deterrent, hindrance, handicap

2. hindrance, hinderance, deterrent, impediment, balk, baulk, check, handicapnoun

   something immaterial that interferes with or delays action or progress

   Synonyms:
   hitch, verification, impedimenta, stoppage, hindrance, disability, halt, chip, tab, handicap, arrest, tick, check-out procedure, confirmation, impairment, check mark, impediment, rafter, obstruction, baulk, checkout, hinderance, curb, chit, stop, disablement, cheque, obstructer, substantiation, stay, obstructor, deterrent, encumbrance, preventive, incumbrance, bank check, preventative, interference, assay, bridle, check

3. rafter, balk, baulknoun

   one of several parallel sloping beams that support a roof

   Synonyms:
   raftsman, rafter, impediment, baulk, check, deterrent, hindrance, handicap, raftman, hinderance

4. balkverb

   an illegal pitching motion while runners are on base

   Synonyms:
   rafter, impediment, hinderance, check, baulk, deterrent, hindrance, handicap

5. resist, balk, baulk, jibverb

   refuse to comply

   Synonyms:
   baulk, reject, change course, gybe, stand, resist, hold out, fend, withstand, dissent, jib, stand firm, defy, refuse, protest, jibe

Matched Categories

1. • Area
   • Beam
   • Billiard Table
   • Difficulty

Dictionary of English SynonymesRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. balkverb

   Synonyms:
   disappoint, frustrate, defeat, foil, baffle, disconcert, thwart

Synonyms, Antonyms & Associated WordsRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. balkverb

   Synonyms:
   frustrate, baffle, foil, thwart, disappoint, jib

Suggested Resources

1. BALK

   What does BALK stand for? -- Explore the various meanings for the BALK acronym on the Abbreviations.com website.

How to pronounce balk?

How to say balk in sign language?

Usage in printed sourcesFrom: 

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Words popularity by usage frequency

How to use balk in a sentence?

1. Edith Sitwell:

   I'm not the man to balk at a low smell, I not the man to insist on asphodel. This sounds like a He-fellow, don't you think? It sounds like that. I belch, I bawl, I drink.