balky

adjective

ˈbȯ-kē How to pronounce balky (audio)
Definition of balkynext
as in rebellious
given to resisting authority or another's control a balky toddler who only seemed to know the word "no" when told to do something

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective balky contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of balky are contrary, perverse, restive, and wayward. While all these words mean "inclined to resist authority or control," balky suggests a refusing to proceed in a desired direction or course of action.

a balky witness

When would contrary be a good substitute for balky?

While in some cases nearly identical to balky, contrary implies a temperamental unwillingness to accept orders or advice.

a contrary child

In what contexts can perverse take the place of balky?

While the synonyms perverse and balky are close in meaning, perverse may imply wrongheaded, determined, or cranky opposition to what is reasonable or normal.

a perverse, intractable critic

When is it sensible to use restive instead of balky?

Although the words restive and balky have much in common, restive suggests unwillingness or inability to submit to discipline or follow orders.

tired soldiers growing restive

When is wayward a more appropriate choice than balky?

The words wayward and balky can be used in similar contexts, but wayward suggests strong-willed capriciousness and irregularity in behavior.

a school for wayward youths

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of balky Here’s the deal: If Jalen Hurts’ balky knee forces him to pass more, Daniels will move on. — Troy Renck, The Denver Post, 25 Jan. 2025 After balky hamstrings saddled him with an injury-prone label, Fulton has set career highs for tackles (51) and games (15). — Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2025 The combined company had a balky management structure that included two executives sharing power at the top, and with vast cultural differences between its German and American operations. — Neal E. Boudette, New York Times, 24 Dec. 2024 On fourth down Allar, who fought gamely while playing with a balky left knee, threw incomplete to tight end Khalil Dinkins. — Will Graves, Baltimore Sun, 2 Nov. 2024 See All Example Sentences for balky
Recent Examples of Synonyms for balky
  1. rebellious
  2. rebel
  3. defiant
  4. stubborn
  5. recalcitrant
  6. willful
  7. obstreperous
  8. wayward
Adjective
  • And if his readership remained informed on his doings, the prince and his supporters didn’t succeed in silencing him and the rest of the rebellious faction.
    — Emily Zarevich, JSTOR Daily, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Wearing cowboy boots with shorts is not only a bold stylistic choice but also a practical way to dress for warm weather without giving up the rustic and rebellious touch that the boots bring.
    — René Chávez Esparza, Glamour, 31 Mar. 2025
Definition of rebellious
Adjective
  • In the fresh extended footage shown, DiCaprio’s former yippie Bob is seen negotiating with a difficult underground rebel contact who knows the whereabouts of his daughter (played by Chase Infiniti).
    — Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 1 Apr. 2025
  • President Trump’s military and intelligence leaders inadvertently shared classified military information on a Houthi rebel attack with a magazine editor which was published online.
    — Rick Pozniak, Boston Herald, 1 Apr. 2025
Definition of rebel
Adjective
  • Related article Palestinian and Israeli filmmakers make defiant speech after winning best documentary Oscar For Ballal, the assault – and Netanyahu’s moves – are even more of a reason to continue to fight for his community.
    — Kareem Khadder, CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2025
  • Two months into his term, President Trump is growing more defiant, creative and ruthless in his pursuit of a central campaign promise: exacting revenge on his political enemies.
    — Zachary Basu, Axios, 21 Mar. 2025
Definition of defiant
Adjective
  • Described by family as larger-than-life in personality and stature, the 6-foot-5-inch Wesley is remembered as a jovial, fiercely stubborn man with a quick wit and passion for advocacy.
    — Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Mar. 2025
  • Happy Birthday for Saturday, March 29, 2025: You are opinionated and stubborn.
    — Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 29 Mar. 2025
Definition of stubborn
Adjective
  • For recalcitrant teams, Scherzer would also remove the runner who automatically starts each inning after the ninth in scoring position on second base, creating a significant handicap.
    — Bruce Schoenfeld Robert Fass Tanya Pérez Brian St. Pierre, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025
  • Milla — a young woman who feels disillusioned by doctors that treat her like a recalcitrant child, directing even conversations about her treatment to her father instead of her — finds false security in quacks selling enemas and juice cleanses.
    — Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Feb. 2025
Definition of recalcitrant
Adjective
  • The willful reluctance of Western policymakers to recognize the importance of cognitive warfare carries the risk of irreversible losses in power and influence worldwide, the key factors that determine strategic outcomes in global competition.
    — Michael Miklaucic, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2025
  • The benefit of that confusion, if there can be any, is that the penalty regime in the Corporate Transparency Act itself only applies to willful behavior.
    — Tax Notes Staff, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
Definition of willful
Adjective
  • All at once, Vance had made an obstreperous return to the center of the national stage—and so did the memes.
    — Jessica Winter, The New Yorker, 19 Mar. 2025
  • In some ways, Paul has been less obstreperous than them.
    — Eric Cortellessa, TIME, 18 Mar. 2025
Definition of obstreperous
Adjective
  • Palud follows the same aberration when Being Maria tracks Schneider’s descent into heroin addiction, her wayward film career, family turmoil, and bisexuality.
    — Armond White, National Review, 28 Mar. 2025
  • For 109 years, Florida sent wayward boys from across the state to Dozier — and the series chronicled the men who survived the school and demanded acknowledgment, resolution and reparation.
    — Yacob Reyes, Axios, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of wayward

Browse Nearby Words

balks (at)
balky
ball
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Balky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/balky. Accessed 10 Apr. 2025.

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