hawkish
Americanadjective
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resembling a hawk, as in appearance or behavior.
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advocating war or a belligerently threatening diplomatic policy.
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of hawkish
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Explanation
Someone who's hawkish is in favor of going to war with other countries. The president's hawkish advisors will frequently recommend military solutions to conflicts. In politics, the adjective hawkish is useful for describing people, groups, or political parties that consistently prefer the war option for reacting to problems around the world. A hawkish politician, also called a hawk or war hawk, might vote in favor of continuing a military operation instead of ending it, for example. This word dates from the 1960s.
Vocabulary lists containing hawkish
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Hawkish remarks from Bank of Japan policy board member Hajime Takata—who said a rate hike is needed soon even as inflation risks mount in Japan—haven’t affected U.S.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 26, 2026
Hawkish comments from the Federal Reserve officials have helped the safe-haven dollar stabilise after its sharp dive earlier in November.
From Reuters • Nov. 21, 2022
Hawkish comments by various policymakers last week also raised the risks of aggressive interest rate policy tightening by global central banks.
From Reuters • Apr. 26, 2022
Hawkish funding of quantum technology could further inflame relations, but it could also stimulate more cooperation and transparency between competing countries seeking to prove their quantum prowess.
From Scientific American • Jul. 15, 2021
Hawkish senator James Inhofe, the top Republican on the panel, praised Hagel’s “honesty” in the August assessment.
From The Guardian • Sep. 16, 2014
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
