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Definition of balk : 1. A deceptive gesture of the pitcher, as if to deliver the ball.
2. A great beam, rafter, or timber; esp., the tie- beam of a house. The loft above was called the balks.
3. A hindrance or disappointment; a check.
4. A ridge of land left unplowed between furrows, or at the end of a field; a piece missed by the plow slipping aside.
5. A sudden and obstinate stop; a failure.
6. One of the beams connecting the successive supports of a trestle bridge or bateau bridge.
7. To disappoint; to frustrate; to foil; to baffle; to hwart; as, to balk expectation.
8. To engage in contradiction; to be in opposition.
9. To indicate to fishermen, by shouts or signals from shore, the direction taken by the shoals of herring.
10. To leave heaped up; to heap up in piles.
11. To leave or make balks in.
12. To miss intentionally; to avoid; to shun; to refuse; to let go by; to shirk.
13. To omit, miss, or overlook by chance.
14. To stop abruptly and stand still obstinately; to jib; to stop short; to swerve; as, the horse balks.

Synonyms:

gybe, impedimenta, oppose, chip, tab, stay, dissent, encumbrance, defy, hinderance, cheque, stand firm, change course, handicap, block, protest, stymie, impairment, hinder, chit, foil, interference, defeat, hamper, verification, raftsman, hindrance, encumber, jib, baffle, interrupt, preventive, cross, disablement, refuse, obstruct, retard, demur, resist, obstruction, check, check-out procedure, stand, disability, jibe, impede, bank check, withstand, bridle, checkmate, reject, substantiation, raftman, allow, curb, clog, confirmation, bar, prevent, incumbrance, hold out, impediment, preventative, checkout, deterrent, obstructer, tick, arrest, cut the ground from under, thwart, stump, assay, check mark, fend, counteract, stoppage, embarrass, stop, baulk, rafter, obstructor, frustrate, hitch

recoil, hesitate, shrink, wait, halt, pause, falter, delay

Usage examples:

• Howe'er that be, She scants me of my right, Is cunning careful evermore to balk Sweet separate talk, And fevers my delight By frets, if, on Amelia's cheek of peach, I touch the notes which music cannot reach, Bidding 'Good- night! - "The Unknown Eros", Coventry Patmore.
• Now, you have had some experience in your business, and I have had some experience in mine, and I beg to inform you that men who are much more prominent in the history of their country than any one I can at present think of in Cincinnati, have tried to balk me in the pursuit of my business, and have failed." - "From Whose Bourne", Robert Barr.
• " She may balk any minute and refuse to go. - "They of the High Trails", Hamlin Garland.