Balked Meaning in English
word · lemma: balk
ˈbɔkt
BAWKT
bˈɔːlkt
BAW-lkt
Definition
To suddenly stop and refuse to go forward or do something, often because of doubt or unwillingness. Can also mean hesitating at an idea or decision.
Usage & Nuances
Formal word, often used to describe hesitation or refusal, especially in authority or negotiation settings. Common phrases: 'balk at the idea', 'balked at the price'. Rare in casual speech, more common in writing.
Spanish: vacilar - negarse - resistirsePortuguese (BR): hesitar - recusar - resistir-sePortuguese (PT): hesitar - recusar - resistir-seChinese (Simplified): 犹豫 - 拒绝（做某事）Chinese (Traditional): 猶豫 - 拒絕（做某事）Hindi: झिझकना - मना करनाArabic: تردد - رفض (فعل شيء)Bengali: অস্বীকার করা - পিছিয়ে যাওয়া - ইতস্তত করাRussian: запятиться - уклониться - отказатьсяJapanese: ためらう - 躊躇するVietnamese: chùn bước - do dự - ngần ngạiKorean: 망설이다 - 꺼리다Turkish: çekimser kalmak - tereddüt etmek - geri çekilmekUrdu: ہچکچانا - انکار کرناIndonesian: menolak - ragu-ragu - mundur
Example Sentences
He balked when he saw the big dog.
basic
She balked at jumping into the cold water.
basic
The horse balked at the fence.
basic
When asked to speak in public, he balked and stayed silent.
natural
Many investors balked at the high risk of the project.
natural
She balked at the idea of moving abroad for work.
natural