balky
adjective
ˈbȯ-kē 
sometimes ˈbȯl-
balkier; balkiest
: refusing or likely to refuse to proceed, act, or function as directed or expected
a balky mule
a balky engine
balkiness noun
Synonyms
- contrary
- contumacious
- defiant
- disobedient
- froward
- incompliant
- insubordinate
- intractable
- obstreperous
- rebel
- rebellious
- recalcitrant
- recusant
- refractory
- restive
- ungovernable
- unruly
- untoward
- wayward
- willful
- wilful
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
a balky toddler who only seemed to know the word “no” when told to do something
Recent Examples on the Web Picked off three times and buried for minus-49 yards on those seven sacks, this wasn't the way the Rams QB should be nursing a balky elbow – though his arm looked just fine. 
Nate Davis, USA TODAY, 9 Sep. 2022 Granted, most of them also weren’t as talented as Buehler, a two-time All-Star who has a 3.02 career ERA despite 12 inconsistent starts this year that might have been impacted by his balky elbow. Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2022 Running backs Jonathan Taylor and Phillip Lindsay also dropped passes in the same 7-on-7 session as Pierce's drop, getting the practice off to a balky start. The Indianapolis Star, 28 July 2022 For Boston, Marcus Smart has had a balky ankle, Robert Williams III’s knee is an ongoing question and Jaylen Brown banged a knee on a drive in Game 5, though finished the game with no obvious ill effects. Tim Reynolds, Hartford Courant, 28 May 2022 For Boston, Marcus Smart’s ankle has been balky, Robert Williams III’s knee is an ongoing question and Jaylen Brown banged a knee on a drive in Game 5 though finished the game with no obvious ill effects. Tim Bielik, cleveland, 29 May 2022 For Boston, Marcus Smart’s ankle has been balky, Robert Williams III’s knee is an ongoing question and Jaylen Brown banged a knee on a drive in Game 5 though finished the game with no obvious ill effects. Mark Heim | Mheim@al.com, al, 29 May 2022 The process at City Hall to select a developer has been balky out of the gate and has a tight timeline that, realistically, must be completed by the fall. Michael Smolenscolumnist, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 May 2022 The bench dumbbell fly has never been one of my favorite exercises for my clients, especially for those with balky shoulders. Kirk Charles, Men's Health, 24 May 2022 See More
Nate Davis, USA TODAY, 9 Sep. 2022 Granted, most of them also weren’t as talented as Buehler, a two-time All-Star who has a 3.02 career ERA despite 12 inconsistent starts this year that might have been impacted by his balky elbow. Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2022 Running backs Jonathan Taylor and Phillip Lindsay also dropped passes in the same 7-on-7 session as Pierce's drop, getting the practice off to a balky start. The Indianapolis Star, 28 July 2022 For Boston, Marcus Smart has had a balky ankle, Robert Williams III’s knee is an ongoing question and Jaylen Brown banged a knee on a drive in Game 5, though finished the game with no obvious ill effects. Tim Reynolds, Hartford Courant, 28 May 2022 For Boston, Marcus Smart’s ankle has been balky, Robert Williams III’s knee is an ongoing question and Jaylen Brown banged a knee on a drive in Game 5 though finished the game with no obvious ill effects. Tim Bielik, cleveland, 29 May 2022 For Boston, Marcus Smart’s ankle has been balky, Robert Williams III’s knee is an ongoing question and Jaylen Brown banged a knee on a drive in Game 5 though finished the game with no obvious ill effects. Mark Heim | Mheim@al.com, al, 29 May 2022 The process at City Hall to select a developer has been balky out of the gate and has a tight timeline that, realistically, must be completed by the fall. Michael Smolenscolumnist, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 May 2022 The bench dumbbell fly has never been one of my favorite exercises for my clients, especially for those with balky shoulders. Kirk Charles, Men's Health, 24 May 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
1831, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
balky
adjective
ˈbȯ-kē
balkier; balkiest
: likely to stop or refuse to go
a balky engine
balky
adjective
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
Relevance
- rebellious
- rebel
- stubborn
- defiant
- recalcitrant
- obstreperous
- wayward
- dogged
- intractable
- willful
- unruly
- rigid
- restive
- contrary
- refractory
- contumacious
- adamant
- disobedient
- uncooperative
- mischievous
- naughty
- insubordinate
- ungovernable
- bad
- incompliant
- uncontrollable
- monkeying
- froward
- resistant
- insurgent
- peevish
- rude
- untoward
- wilful
- recusant
- obstinate
- wild
- fractious
- dissident
- obdurate
- inflexible
- mulish
- unmanageable
- mutinous
- noncooperative
- implacable
- unbending
- errant
- pigheaded
- unyielding
- hardheaded
- ornery
- unrelenting
- immovable
- headstrong
- misbehaving
- wrongheaded
- uncompromising
- negativistic
- opinionated
- adamantine
- pertinacious
- undisciplined
- discourteous
- disorderly
- ungracious
- impudent
- perverse
- disrespectful
- impolite
- uncouth
- inconsiderate
- insolent
- unmannerly
- uncivil
- nonconformist
- self-willed
- impertinent
- ill-mannered
- monkeyish
- ill-natured
- ill-bred
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- amenable
- cooperative
- tractable
- docile
- amiable
- compliant
- obedient
- agreeable
- deferential
- biddable
- acquiescent
- obliging
- submissive
- conformable
- behaved
- courteous
- yielding
- polite
- obsequious
- disciplined
- ruly
- subservient
- slavish
- proper
- controllable
- servile
- respectful
- well-bred
- decorous
- orderly
- governable
- manageable
- trainable
- mannerly
- kowtowing
Synonym Chooser
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
While in some cases nearly identical to balky, contrary implies a temperamental unwillingness to accept orders or advice.
a contrary child
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
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
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