verb

boggle

Hesitate or shrink from doing something.

He boggles at the thought of signing away his rights.

Etymology

Bogle names a frightening apparition. Boggle’s connection with taking fright links shrinking back from something alarming with hesitation or unwillingness to undertake an action.

More examples

  • She does not boggle at a difficult task.
  • The committee boggled at the scale of the commitment.
  • They boggle over a decision that once seemed straightforward.

Forms

boggle · boggles · boggled · boggling

Similar words

balk
Balk means hesitate or refuse; boggle can stress alarm at a difficulty or prospect.
recoil
Recoil draws back from something unpleasant; boggle can remain a hesitation in the mind.