balky
The word “balky” has 2 syllables: balk-y
It's pronounced as /ˈbɔːlki/
What is synonym and antonym for balky?
In the thesaurus, “balky” has 89 synonyms and 35 antonyms.
Here are synonyms and antonyms for balky along with examples of usage in sentences.
Synonyms for balky
- adamant
- adamantine
- averse
- bad
- contrary
- contumacious
- defiant
- discourteous
- disobedient
- disorderly
- disrespectful
- dissident
- dogged
- errant
- fractious
- froward
- hardheaded
- headstrong
- hesitant
- ill-bred
- ill-mannered
- ill-natured
- immovable
- impertinent
- implacable
- impolite
- impudent
- incompliant
- inconsiderate
- indisposed
- inflexible
- insolent
- insubordinate
- insurgent
- intractable
- loath
- misbehaving
- mischievous
- monkeying
- monkeyish
- mulish
- mutinous
- naughty
- negative
- negativistic
- nonconformist
- noncooperative
- obdurate
- obstinate
- obstreperous
- opinionated
- ornery
- peevish
- pertinacious
- perverse
- pigheaded
- rebel
- rebellious
- recalcitrant
- recusant
- refractory
- reluctant
- resistant
- restive
- rigid
- rude
- self-willed
- stubborn
- unbending
- uncivil
- uncompromising
- uncontrollable
- uncooperative
- uncouth
- undisciplined
- ungovernable
- ungracious
- unmanageable
- unmannerly
- unpredictable
- unrelenting
- unruly
- untoward
- unyielding
- wayward
- wild
- wilful
- willful
- wrongheaded
Antonyms for balky
- acquiescent
- agreeable
- amenable
- amiable
- behaved
- biddable
- compliant
- conformable
- controllable
- cooperative
- courteous
- decorous
- deferential
- disciplined
- docile
- governable
- kowtowing
- manageable
- mannerly
- obedient
- obliging
- obsequious
- orderly
- polite
- proper
- respectful
- ruly
- servile
- slavish
- submissive
- subservient
- tractable
- trainable
- well-bred
- yielding
Meanings of balky
- adjective
- Refusing to proceed or cooperate.
Example Sentences
- The old computer was balky and slow, taking ages to load even simple programs.
- The balky engine sputtered and stalled every time the car reached a steep incline.
- Despite its sleek appearance, the new smartphone proved to be balky, often freezing up unexpectedly.
- The balky door latch made it difficult to close the gate securely, causing frustration for the homeowner.
- She found the balky zipper on her jacket irritating, struggling to zip it up smoothly every time.
On this page you'll find 124 synonyms, antonyms, or another words to balky, such as: acquiescent, adamant, adamantine, agreeable, amenable, amiable, averse.
Make sure to choose synonyms and antonyms that are appropriate for the context of the sentence.
Related Words
gainsaying
- abjuration
- abnegation
- about-face
- abrogating
- abrogation
- abstaining
- adjuration
- adversarial
- adverse
- against
- against the grain
- allergic
- annulling
- annulment
- antagonistic
- anti
- antipathetic
- antithesis
- antithetical
- antonym
- antonymous
- at cross-purposes
- at odds
- averse
- backpedaling
- backtracking
- balky
- battling
- blank
- brush-off
- bucking
- cancellation
- challenging
- clashing
- cold shoulder
- colorless
- combating
- con
- conflict
- conflicting
- confronting
- confutation
- confuting
- contesting
- contradicting
- contradiction
- contrary
- contravening
- contravention
- contraversion
- controversion
- controverting
- converse
- counter
- counteractive
- crossing
- cynical
- declination
- defending
- defensive
- defiance
- denial
- denying
- detrimental
- difference
- disaffirmance
- disaffirmation
- disaffirming
- disagreeing
- disagreement
- disallowance
- disallowing
- disapproval
- disavowal
- disavowing
- disclaimer
- disclaiming
- disconfirming
- discrepancy
- dismissing
- disowning
- disproof
- disproving
- dispute
- disputed
- disputing
- dissension
- dissent
- dissentient
- dissenting
- enemy
- exposing
- facing
- fighting
- forget it
- forswearing
- gloomy
- hostile
- impugning
- in opposition
- incompatible
- incongruity
- inconsistency
- inimical
- invalidating
- inverse
- irreconcilable
- jaundiced
- nay
- naysaying
- negating
- negation
- negative
- negativing
- negatory
- neutralization
- neutralizing
- nix
- no
- nonacceptance
- noncommittal
- nonexistence
- nothingness
- nugatory
- nullification
- nullifying
- nullity
- objecting
- obstructive
- opposed
- opposing
- opposite
- opposition
- palinode
- pessimistic
- privative
- prohibition
- proscription
- protestation
- protesting
- questioning
- rebuff
- rebuttal
- rebutting
- recall
- recantation
- recusant
- refraining
- refusal
- refusing
- refutal
- refutation
- refuting
- rejecting
- rejection
- removed
- renegement
- reneging
- renouncement
- renouncing
- renunciation
- repelling
- repudiating
- repudiation
- repugnant
- repulse
- resisting
- resistive
- restrictive
- retractation
- retraction
- reversal
- reverse
- revocation
- rival
- statement
- statement abnegation
- traversing
- turndown
- unaffirmative
- unenthusiastic
- unfavorable
- uninterested
- unsaying
- unwilling
- up against
- vacuity
- veto
- void
- volte-face
- warring
- weak
- withdrawal
quarrelsome
- acidic
- aggressive
- agonistic
- antagonistic
- argumentative
- assaultive
- bad-tempered
- balky
- battling
- bearish
- bellicose
- belligerent
- bilious
- brawling
- brawly
- bristly
- cantankerous
- captious
- cat-and-dog
- chippy
- choleric
- churlish
- combative
- confrontational
- contentious
- contrary
- controversial
- crabby
- cranky
- cross
- disagreeable
- discordant
- disobedient
- disputatious
- dissentious
- dyspeptic
- excitable
- feisty
- fierce
- fiery
- fighting
- fractious
- fretful
- froward
- gladiatorial
- grouchy
- grumpy
- hardheaded
- hasty
- have chip on shoulder
- headstrong
- hostile
- hot-tempered
- hotheaded
- huffy
- ill-humored
- ill-natured
- ill-tempered
- impassioned
- insubordinate
- intractable
- irascible
- irritable
- litigious
- militant
- mulish
- obdurate
- obstinate
- on the warpath
- ornery
- passionate
- peevish
- perverse
- pettish
- petulant
- pigheaded
- polemic
- polemical
- prickly
- pugnacious
- querulous
- recalcitrant
- refractory
- resistant
- restive
- ructious
- rude
- savage
- scrappy
- self-opinionated
- self-willed
- snappish
- snappy
- splenetic
- stroppy
- stubborn
- surly
- tempestuous
- testy
- thin-skinned
- touchy
- truculent
- turbulent
- ugly
- unbending
- uncompromising
- uncooperative
- unreasonable
- unruly
- unyielding
- vicious
- violent
- war
- warlike
- warring
- waspish
- wayward
- wilful
- willful
bad
- abhorrent
- abominable
- abominably
- abomination
- abysmal
- abysmally
- achy
- acrid
- acrimonious
- acute
- addled
- admirable
- adverse
- afflicted
- aggravating
- aggrieved
- agonized
- ailing
- airsick
- amiss
- anathema
- anguished
- annoying
- appalling
- arch
- atrocious
- atrociously
- atrociousness
- atrocity
- awe-inspiring
- awful
- awfully
- babyish
- badass
- badly
- badness
- baleful
- balefulness
- balky
- baneful
- banned
- bargain-basement
- barred
- base
- bastard
- beastly
- below par
- bilious
- bitchy
- bitter
- black
- blamable
- blameworthy
- bleak
- blemished
- blue
- broken
- brokenhearted
- brummagem
- brutal
- bum
- bush
- bush-league
- cancer
- canker
- careless
- carsick
- cast down
- catty
- caustic
- censurable
- challenged
- cheap
- cheapjack
- cheeky
- cheerless
- cheesy
- childish
- coarse
- comfortless
- common
- condemned
- conscience-stricken
- contagious
- contaminated
- contemptible
- contemptuous
- contrary
- contrite
- cool
- corroded
- corrupt
- corrupted
- corruption
- counterfeit
- crappy
- crestfallen
- criminal
- crippled
- critical
- cruddy
- cruel
- crumbled
- crumby
- crummy
- curdled
- cursed
- curst
- cussed
- cut-rate
- damaged
- damaging
- damnable
- damnably
- dangerous
- dark
- darkening
- darkness
- deadly
- debased
- debauched
- debauchery
- debilitated
- decay
- decayed
- decaying
- decomposed
- decomposing
- decrepit
- defaced
- defective
- defiant
- deficient
- deficiently
- defiled
- defiling
- degeneracy
- degenerate
- degenerated
- dejected
- deleterious
- delinquent
- deplorable
- deplorably
- depraved
- depravedness
- depravity
- deprecating
- depressed
- depressing
- derogatory
- desolate
- despairing
- despicable
- despiteful
- despondent
- destructive
- deteriorated
- detestable
- detestably
- detrimental
- devastating
- devilishness
- devilry
- deviltry
- devious
- diabolism
- difficult
- dirty
- disabled
- disadvantageous
- disagreeable
- disallowed
- disappointed
- disastrous
- disastrously
- disconsolate
- discouraged
- discouraging
- disdainful
- diseased
- disfigured
- disgraceful
- disgusting
- disheartened
- dishonest
- dishonorable
- disintegrated
- disintegrating
- dismal
- disobedient
- disobliging
- disordered
- disorderly
- disparaging
- dispirited
- displeasing
- disreputable
- disrespectful
- dissatisfactory
- dissolute
- distasteful
- distressed
- distressing
- dizzy
- doleful
- dolorous
- down
- down in the mouth
- downcast
- downhearted
- dreadful
- dreadfully
- drear
- dreary
- droopy
- egregious
- egregiously
- el cheapo
- elegiac
- elegiacal
- elfish
- enormity
- envious
- errant
- erring
- erroneous
- evil
- evil-minded
- evildoing
- evilness
- execrable
- execrably
- extreme
- fake
- fallen
- fallible
- fatal
- faulty
- feeble
- fermented
- feverish
- fiendishness
- fierce
- flagrant
- flagrantly
- flashy
- flawed
- forbidden
- forlorn
- foul
- fouled
- fragile
- frail
- from hunger
- froward
- funereal
- galling
- gangrenous
- garish
- gaudy
- ghastly
- gimcrack
- glitzy
- gloomy
- glum
- gnarly
- god-awful
- godawful
- grand
- grave
- gray
- grey
- grieving
- grim
- gross
- grossly
- guilty
- half-assed
- halt
- hangdog
- harmed
- harmful
- harsh
- hateful
- hazardous
- headstrong
- heartbroken
- heartsick
- heartsore
- heavyhearted
- heinousness
- hellish
- hideous
- hopeless
- horrendous
- horrendously
- horrible
- horribly
- horrid
- horrifically
- hostile
- hurt
- hurtful
- hypochondriac
- hypochondriacal
- icky
- ignoble
- ill
- ill-behaved
- ill-mannered
- ill-natured
- illegal
- immature
- immoral
- immorality
- impaired
- imperfect
- imperiling
- imperilling
- impish
- impolite
- imposing
- impressive
- improper
- impudent
- impure
- in pain
- inadequate
- inadequately
- inappropriately
- incapacitated
- incomplete
- inconsiderate
- inconsolable
- incorrect
- incorrectly
- indecency
- indecent
- indecently
- indecorous
- indifferent
- indisposed
- ineffective
- ineffectual
- infamous
- infantile
- infectious
- infective
- inferior
- inferiorly
- infernal
- infirm
- inimical
- iniquitous
- iniquitousness
- iniquity
- injured
- injurious
- inoperative
- insidious
- insolent
- insufficient
- insufficiently
- insurgent
- intense
- interdicted
- intimidating
- intolerably
- intractable
- invalid
- invidious
- irreverent
- irritating
- jaundiced
- jealous
- jejune
- jeopardizing
- joyless
- junky
- juvenile
- kiddish
- killer
- kitsch
- kitschy
- knavish
- lachrymose
- lacking
- lackluster
- lame
- lesser
- lethal
- libertine
- light-headed
- loathsome
- loose
- lousily
- lousy
- low
- low-grade
- low-minded
- low-rent
- low-spirited
- lugubrious
- malefaction
- malevolent
- malicious
- malign
- malignant
- marred
- meager
- meagerly
- meagre
- mean
- mean-spirited
- meanly
- mediocre
- melancholic
- melancholy
- menacing
- meretricious
- mighty
- mildewy
- misbehaving
- mischievous
- miscreant
- miserable
- miserably
- miserly
- moldering
- moldy
- monkeying
- monkeyish
- morbid
- morose
- mournful
- murky
- mutinous
- nasty
- naughtily
- naughty
- nauseated
- nauseating
- nauseous
- nefarious
- negative
- niggardly
- nocuous
- noisome
- nonbinding
- nonvalid
- noxious
- nugatory
- null
- null and void
- objectionable
- obnoxious
- obscene
- obstreperous
- odious
- odiously
- off
- offensive
- ominous
- on the blink
- opprobrious
- ornery
- ostentatious
- out of sorts
- outlawed
- painful
- paltry
- parlous
- pathetic
- peaked
- peaky
- perilous
- pernicious
- perverse
- perversion
- perverted
- pervertedness
- pestiferous
- pestilent
- pestilential
- phoney
- phony
- pixieish
- plaintive
- poisonous
- polluted
- poor
- poorly
- poxy
- prankish
- prejudicial
- prohibited
- proscribed
- puerile
- punk
- putrefied
- putrefying
- putrescent
- putrid
- qualmish
- queasy
- queazy
- rancid
- rancorous
- rank
- rascally
- rebellious
- recalcitrant
- refractory
- regretful
- remorseful
- repellant
- repellent
- reprehensible
- reprehensibly
- reprobate
- repugnant
- repulsive
- resentful
- restive
- revolting
- revulsive
- risky
- roguish
- rot
- rotten
- rottenly
- rotting
- rowdy
- rubbishy
- rude
- rueful
- ruffianly
- ruinous
- run-down
- sad
- saddened
- sassy
- satanism
- saturnine
- scandalous
- scantily
- scantly
- scanty
- scathing
- schlock
- schlocky
- scornful
- scoundrelly
- scrofulous
- scurrility
- scurrilous
- scurrilousness
- scurvy
- seamy
- seasick
- second-class
- second-rate
- seedy
- selfish
- serious
- severe
- shabbily
- shabby
- shaky
- sham
- shameful
- shlock
- shlocky
- shocking
- shoddily
- shoddy
- short
- showy
- sick
- sickened
- sickening
- sickish
- sickly
- sin
- sinful
- sinfulness
- sinister
- skimp
- skimpily
- skimpy
- sleazily
- sleazy
- slipshod
- sly
- snakelike
- snide
- snotty
- somber
- sombre
- sordid
- sorrowful
- sorry
- sour
- soured
- sourish
- spare
- sparely
- spiteful
- splashy
- spoiled
- squalor
- squeamish
- stingily
- stingy
- stinky
- suboptimal
- subpar
- substandard
- sucky
- suicidal
- sullen
- sunk
- supercheap
- swank
- swanky
- symptomatic
- taboo
- tabu
- tacky
- tainted
- tawdry
- tearful
- terrible
- terribly
- thoughtless
- threatening
- tough
- toxic
- transgressing
- trashily
- trashy
- troubled
- troublesome
- troubling
- trumpery
- turned
- ugly
- ultracheap
- unacceptable
- unacceptably
- unauthorized
- unbearably
- unbecoming
- unclean
- uncongenial
- uncontrollable
- uncouth
- under par
- under the weather
- uneasy
- unethical
- unfavorable
- unfortunate
- unfriendly
- ungodly
- ungovernable
- unhappy
- unhealthful
- unhealthy
- unholy
- unkind
- unkindly
- unlawful
- unlovely
- unloving
- unmannerly
- unpalatable
- unpleasant
- unpleasing
- unprincipled
- unquiet
- unrighteous
- unruly
- unsafe
- unsatisfactorily
- unsatisfactory
- unsavory
- unscrupulous
- unseemly
- unsound
- unspeakable
- unspeakably
- unsuitably
- untoward
- unwelcome
- unwell
- unwholesome
- upset
- upsetting
- useless
- valueless
- venomous
- vexatious
- vexing
- vicious
- vile
- vilely
- vileness
- villainous
- villainy
- vindictive
- virulent
- vitiated
- vitriolic
- void
- vulgar
- vulgarly
- wack
- waggish
- wailing
- wanting
- wayward
- weak
- weakly
- weeping
- wicked
- wickedness
- wild
- wilful
- willful
- woebegone
- woeful
- woozy
- worried
- worthless
- wretched
- wretchedly
- wrong
- wrongheaded
- yucky
- yukky
naughty
- adult
- annoying
- arch
- babyish
- bad
- badly behaved
- balky
- bawdy
- blue
- childish
- contrary
- corrupt
- defiant
- dirty
- disobedient
- disobliging
- disorderly
- disrespectful
- dissolute
- elfish
- errant
- evil
- exasperating
- fiendish
- fractious
- froward
- headstrong
- hot
- ill-mannered
- ill-natured
- immature
- impish
- impolite
- improper
- impudent
- inconsiderate
- indecorous
- infantile
- insolent
- insubordinate
- insurgent
- intractable
- jejune
- juvenile
- kiddish
- knavish
- lascivious
- lewd
- loose
- misbehaving
- mischievous
- monkeying
- monkeyish
- mutinous
- obstreperous
- off-color
- ornery
- perverse
- pixieish
- playful
- pornographic
- prankish
- puerile
- purple
- rascally
- raunchy
- rebellious
- recalcitrant
- refractory
- restive
- ribald
- roguish
- rough
- rowdy
- rude
- ruffianly
- selfish
- sinful
- steamy
- teasing
- thoughtless
- tough
- transgressing
- uncontrollable
- uncouth
- ungovernable
- unkind
- unkindly
- unmanageable
- unmannerly
- unruly
- untoward
- waggish
- wanton
- wayward
- wicked
- wild
- wilful
- willful
- worthless
- wrong
- wrongheaded
obstreperous
- adamant
- adamantine
- bad
- balky
- blaring
- blatant
- blustering
- blusterous
- boisterous
- booming
- brassy
- brazen
- cacophonous
- caterwauling
- clamant
- clamorous
- clangorous
- contrary
- contumacious
- defiant
- dinning
- discordant
- discourteous
- disobedient
- disorderly
- disrespectful
- dissident
- dissonant
- dogged
- earsplitting
- errant
- fractious
- froward
- grating
- hardheaded
- headstrong
- ill-bred
- ill-mannered
- ill-natured
- immovable
- impertinent
- implacable
- impolite
- impudent
- incompliant
- inconsiderate
- inflexible
- insolent
- insubordinate
- insurgent
- intractable
- loud
- loudmouthed
- misbehaving
- mischievous
- monkeying
- monkeyish
- mulish
- mutinous
- naughty
- negativistic
- noisy
- nonconformist
- noncooperative
- obdurate
- obstinate
- opinionated
- ornery
- out of hand
- outspoken
- peevish
- pertinacious
- perverse
- piercing
- pigheaded
- rackety
- raising Cain
- raising the roof
- rambunctious
- raucous
- rebel
- rebellious
- recalcitrant
- recusant
- refractory
- resistant
- restive
- rigid
- riotous
- robustious
- rowdy
- rude
- screaming
- self-willed
- shrill
- squawking
- strepitous
- strident
- stubborn
- tumultuous
- unbending
- uncivil
- uncompromising
- uncontrollable
- uncooperative
- uncouth
- undisciplined
- ungovernable
- ungracious
- unmanageable
- unmannerly
- unrelenting
- unruly
- untoward
- unyielding
- uproarious
- vocal
- vociferant
- vociferating
- vociferous
- wayward
- wild
- wilful
- willful
- wrongheaded
- yauping
- yawping
- yowling