1. refusing to proceed or act; stubbornly resistant
Usage: often used to describe animals, machines, or people

Examples

• The balky horse refused to cross the stream.
• My computer has been balky all morning and keeps freezing.
• The balky child wouldn’t get dressed for school.
• The old car’s balky engine finally started after several attempts.
• She grew frustrated with the balky printer that kept jamming.
• The balky door handle requires a firm twist to open.