balks
Stops dead, resisting
Balks is the plural of balk, a refusal to proceed or comply.
A horse balks at a jump; a person balks at an unreasonable request: She balks at the idea of working weekends.
In baseball, a balk is an illegal pitching motion that allows runners to advance—the pitcher's body promises one thing and delivers another, a physical form of hesitation.
Fails to decide
- faltersLoses steadiness or confidence
- hesitatesShows momentary indecision
- pausesTemporary cessations of activity
- stallsDelays or compartments
flinches · shrinks · demurs · recoils · holds back · pulls back · second-guesses · hangs back
Declines to accept
- rejectsRefuses or discards
- declinesRefuses or diminishes
- resistsActively withstands force
- objectsTangible items or protests
protests · rebels · defies · opposes · spurns · dismisses · rebuffs · snubs
wavers
Fails to decide
- faltersLoses steadiness or confidence
- hesitatesShows momentary indecision
- pausesTemporary cessations of activity
stalls · flinches · shrinks · demurs · recoils · holds back · pulls back · second-guesses · hangs back · resists
refuses
Declines to accept
objects · protests · rebels · defies · opposes · spurns · dismisses · rebuffs · snubs · repudiates
pitcher
Pouring vessel or hurler
penalty · infraction · advance · deception · set position · windup · delivery · pickoff · catcher · baserunner
timbers
Large wooden beams
lumber · girders · studs · trusses · crossbeams · supports · framework · construction · framing · structural