hawkish

American  

[haw-kish] / ˈhɔ kɪʃ /

adjective

1. resembling a hawk, as in appearance or behavior.

2. advocating war or a belligerently threatening diplomatic policy.

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ˈhawkish British  

/ ˈhɔːkɪʃ /

adjective

1. favouring the use or display of force rather than diplomacy to achieve foreign policy goals

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Other Word Forms

• hawkishly adverb
• hawkishness noun

Etymology

Origin of hawkish

First recorded in 1835–45; hawk ¹ + -ish ¹

Compare meaning

How does hawkish compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• dovish vs. hawkish

Example Sentences

Powell, he noted, declined to say that years of above-target inflation should change how the Fed handles a supply shock—a more hawkish position that some had expected him to take.

From Barron's

South Korea’s central bank pick, Shin Hyun-song, could lead to a more hawkish policy stance amid economic challenges and geopolitical tensions.

From The Wall Street Journal

“Things could change quickly if Middle Eastern tensions simmer down, but the longer oil routes remain blocked, the more embedded hawkish forecasts will become,” Nathan noted.

From Barron's

The current surge in prices of energy and other commodities has lifted expectations of hawkish pivots by central banks in Asia, especially in economies that are most vulnerable to oil shocks.

From The Wall Street Journal

“Higher Oil prices mean a higher risk of stagflation, an incrementally hawkish Fed, and a higher probability of multiple contraction.”

From Barron's

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