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balk

noun
\ ˈbȯk, sometimes ˈbȯlk How to pronounce balk (audio) \

Definition of balk

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a ridge of land left unplowed as a dividing line or through carelessness
2 : beam, rafter
3 : hindrance, check

4 billiards

a : the space behind the balkline on a billiard table
b : any of the outside divisions made by the balklines
5a sports : failure of a competitor to complete a motion (such as a jump, vault, or dive)
b baseball : an occurrence in which a pitcher stops suddenly or makes an illegal movement after starting to throw a pitch The pitcher was charged with a balk.

balk

verb
balked; balking; balks

Definition of balk (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 archaic : to pass over or by … such an age as ours balks no expense …— William Cowper
2 : to check or stop by or as if by an obstacle : block … had neither been balked nor been frightened …— Francis Hackett

intransitive verb

1 : to stop short and refuse to proceed The horse balked at the jump and threw the rider.
2 : to refuse abruptly —used with at Congress balked at putting up the money— Thomas Fleming
3 sports : to commit a balk (see balk entry 1 sense 5)
Other Words from balk Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about balk

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Other Words from balk

Verb

balker noun

Choose the Right Synonym for balk

Verb

frustrate, thwart, foil, baffle, balk mean to check or defeat another's plan or block achievement of a goal. frustrate implies making vain or ineffectual all efforts however vigorous or persistent. frustrated attempts at government reform thwart suggests frustration or checking by crossing or opposing. the army thwarted his attempt at a coup foil implies checking or defeating so as to discourage further effort. foiled by her parents, he stopped trying to see her baffle implies frustration by confusing or puzzling. baffled by the maze of rules and regulations balk suggests the interposing of obstacles or hindrances. officials felt that legal restrictions had balked their efforts to control crime

Examples of balk in a Sentence

Noun

 the extravagant centerpiece proved to be a balk to the flow of conversation

Verb

 The horse balked and would not jump the fence. The runner on third base tried to make the pitcher balk.
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Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

 Facing Márquez, Jesse Winker hit a leadoff double in the bottom of the first inning and advanced to third on a balk. — Bobby Nightengale, Cincinnati.com, "Luis Castillo allows 6 runs, Cincinnati Reds crushed in loss to Colorado Rockies," 27 July 2019 After the balk, Jackson Hunter was hit by starter Chandler Davis. — David Hinojosa, ExpressNews.com, "Blanco rallies past Van Alstyne and into the 3A state-title game," 7 June 2019 George Springer hit a leadoff single, advanced to second on a balk and took third on a groundout by Jose Altuve . — Kristie Reiken, courant.com, "Charlie Morton Strikes Out 10 As Astros End Yankees' Streak At 9," 30 Apr. 2018 Coonrod struck out his next two batters, but the inning will be remembered for his three walks and balk and the ball that wasn’t caught by Pillar. — John Shea, SFChronicle.com, "San Francisco Giants put up little fight, lose to Nationals 4-0," 6 Aug. 2019 From dramatic rundowns, to wild pitches that scored the winning run (4-3 over Edgewood Saturday night) and balk calls that plated the winning run (6-5 over PYBSA Friday afternoon), the boys made it a very entertaining and exciting weekend. — Robert Avery, Houston Chronicle, "Deer Park Mustang All-Stars drop South Zone title game to Medina Valley," 29 July 2019 Trevor Story led off with a single and advanced to second on a DeSclafani balk. — Kyle Newman, The Denver Post, "Rockies bats go flat in loss to Cincinnati as Colorado’s momentum takes a step back (again)," 27 July 2019 Perez reached third on a balk and scored on Concepcion’s single. — Mark Schmetzer, Cincinnati.com, "Top games in Cincinnati Reds history: No. 36 – 'Had 'em all the way,' nine-run comeback vs. Cubs," 19 June 2019 In the third inning, the skipper was ejected for arguing a balk call on starting pitcher Matthew Boyd. — Chris Nelsen, Detroit Free Press, "In even defeat, Detroit Tigers know Ron Gardenhire has their backs," 8 June 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

 The Trump administration has balked at the idea, however, which could violate a 1997 agreement that bars the permanent basing of NATO troops in former Warsaw Pact countries. — Chris Megerian, Los Angeles Times, "Trump plans second visit to Poland although he probably won’t get a ‘Fort Trump’," 29 Aug. 2019 In an extraordinary move, automakers have balked at Mr. Trump’s proposal, mainly because California and 13 other states plan to continue enforcing their current, stricter rules, and to sue the Trump administration. — New York Times, "Trump’s Rollback of Auto Pollution Rules Shows Signs of Disarray," 20 Aug. 2019 Automakers have balked at Trump’s proposal, mainly because California and 13 other states plan to continue enforcing their current, stricter rules, and to sue the Trump administration. — Hiroko Tabuchi, BostonGlobe.com, "Trump presses carmakers not to join Calif.’s fight against easing Obama-era pollution rules," 20 Aug. 2019 Besides not taking action on stricter background checks, McConnell has also balked at a House proposal extending the amount of time firearms dealers mus

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