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Hawkish - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

Hawkish describes a person or policy that favors aggressive or confrontational actions, especially in politics or economics. It often refers to advocating for strong military measures or strict financial policies.

hawkish

/ˈhɔkɪʃ/ /ˈhɔːkɪʃ/

Definition:

Aggressively advocating for military action or a tough stance in politics.

Synonyms:

militant, aggressive, bellicose, warlike

Part of Speech:

adjective

Antonyms:

dovish, pacifist, conciliatory

Common Collocations:

hawkish policy, hawkish stance, hawkish rhetoric, hawkish leader

Derivatives:

hawkishly, hawkishness

Usage Tips:

Use 'hawkish' to describe someone favoring aggressive policies, especially in politics or military strategy.

Common Phrases:

hawkish approach, turn hawkish, sound hawkish

Etymology:

Derived from 'hawk,' symbolizing aggression in contrast to 'dove,' representing peace (1960s political term).

Examples:

  • 1. The senator's hawkish views alarmed advocates of diplomacy.
  • 2. Central banks adopted a hawkish tone to curb inflation fears.
  • 3. His speech grew increasingly hawkish as tensions rose abroad.
  • 4. Critics called the general's strategy unnecessarily hawkish and risky.

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