WordGarden.iobaulk
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /bˈɔːk/
US
Meanings
Verb
to stop short or refuse to proceed because something seems difficult or unacceptable
to prevent someone from getting something or from carrying something out
Beyond the definition
Imagine a stubborn mule refusing to move forward—that's essentially the core idea. Baulk is more than pausing; it means hesitation, resistance, or outright refusal to continue. A horse might baulk at a jump, a person might baulk at an unfair request, and a team might be baulked by a sudden legal or budget problem. In plain terms, it is the moment something should move ahead but meets a clear stop.
To baulk means to hesitate or stop short, often because of fear, uncertainty, or unwillingness to proceed. It usually describes resistance at a decisive moment: a task is underway, then someone pauses and may refuse to continue.
You might baulk at a high price tag, meaning you hesitate to pay because the cost feels unreasonable. A politician may baulk at signing a controversial bill, choosing not to endorse it. The noun form is also used for a barrier, stoppage, or obstacle: "The delays became a complete baulk to the project." The word is common in UK English and in formal or literary styles, with the same basic sense as US balk.
Examples
- 1
Price reaction
Some buyers baulked at the price and walked away.
- 2
Payment objection
She baulked at paying six months' rent in advance.
- Patternbaulk at + noun/-ing
feel unwilling to accept or do it
- 3
Policy objection
Even supporters of the plan baulked at the idea of cutting hospital staff.
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
- flinch
- shy away from
- dig in one's heels
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- baulk at the idea
- baulk at the cost
- baulk at doing something
Word family
Explore
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- baulknounverb
Forms
- baulkedpast tenseverbnoun
- baulkspluralnounverb
- baulking-ing formverbnoun