hawkish
Americanadjective
-
resembling a hawk, as in appearance or behavior.
-
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.
Since the conflict in Iran started, bond markets have anticipated more hawkish central banks globally, but the JPMorgan report posits that Iran is fading as a driver of interest rates.
From MarketWatch • May 11, 2026
A longer, more persistent stretch of elevated inflation likely would push central banks into a more hawkish rate stance, he added, with higher bond yields acting as a headwind to stock performance.
From Barron's • May 11, 2026
The Bank of Korea kept its base rate unchanged for a seventh straight meeting in April, but is now shifting toward a more hawkish stance.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 5, 2026
A formal shift in the language would itself tighten financial conditions—the kind of hawkish move officials may not be ready to make.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 28, 2026
Ekon felt the shrewd evaluation in the man’s hawkish eyes as he looked over each of them.
From "Beasts of Prey" by Ayana Gray
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.
