What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
balking
Example
The horse kept balking at the jump, refusing to go over. [balking: verb]
Example
She showed her balking attitude by refusing to participate in the group activity. [balking: noun]
recoil
Example
He recoiled in pain when he touched the hot stove. [recoiled: verb]
Example
The sight of blood made her recoil in horror. [recoil: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Recoil is more commonly used than balking in everyday language. Recoil is versatile and can be used in various contexts, while balking is less common and often used in specific situations where there is resistance or refusal.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between balking and recoil?
While balking is typically associated with a casual and informal tone, recoil can be employed in both formal and informal contexts. Recoil is more commonly used in formal writing or when describing strong negative reactions.
