Baulked is a word that means to hesitate or to refuse to continue with an action. It is a powerful word that conveys a strong emotion of fear, doubt, or indecision. There are several synonyms for baulked that can be used interchangeably to express the same idea, including balked, hesitated, wavered, faltered, backed away, retreated, recoiled, shrank, and flinched. Each of these words has a slightly different nuance, but all of them convey a sense of uncertainty or hesitation in the face of a challenge or obstacle. Choosing the right synonym for baulked can help writers to convey the precise emotion or action they want to express.