hawkish
hawkish — adjective
- hawkishpositive
- more hawkishcomparative
- most hawkishsuperlative
1. supporting tough political action, especially military force or other hard-line
supporting tough political action, especially military force or other hard-line measures, instead of relying mainly on negotiation
The senator sounded hawkish on defence policy during the televised debate.
hawkish on + policy area
A hawkish speech from the foreign minister worried diplomats who still hoped for talks.
hawkish + speech
Khalid's newspaper column urged leaders not to take a hawkish line before every peaceful option had failed.
The central bank's hawkish tone suggested that interest rates might rise again.
Even some hawkish advisers admitted that sending troops would carry serious risks.
- hard-line
emphasises a strict, uncompromising position
- militant
suggests readiness for forceful or aggressive action
- aggressive
broader; can describe tone or behaviour outside politics
- interventionist
only when the stance involves active state or military involvement
- dovish
preferring restraint, talks, or easier policy
- conciliatory
trying to reduce conflict and find agreement
- pacific
formal; peace-seeking
文法句型
hawkish + noun
hawkish on + noun
take a hawkish line
用法筆記
Often used in politics and news reporting. It contrasts with 'dovish': a hawkish person or policy favours stronger pressure, military action, or tighter policy, while a dovish one favours restraint, compromise, or easier policy.
常見錯誤
2. looking like a hawk, especially with a sharp, curved, or watchful face or nose
looking like a hawk, especially with a sharp, curved, or watchful face or nose
The old portrait shows her with a hawkish nose and narrow, alert eyes.
hawkish + nose
Under the stage lights, the actor's hawkish profile looked severe rather than friendly.
hawkish + profile
The illustrator gave the detective hawkish features to make him seem older and more suspicious.
His hawkish face softened only when his daughter ran into the room.
- aquiline
formal; especially of a curved nose
- sharp-featured
plainer description of an angular face
- hook-nosed
more direct and can sound unkind
- soft-featured
having gentle, rounded facial features
文法句型
hawkish + features / face / nose / profile
用法筆記
This is a descriptive, often literary sense. It usually modifies physical features, not ordinary behaviour.
常見錯誤
3. watching someone or something with very close attention, as if ready to notice t
watching someone or something with very close attention, as if ready to notice the smallest movement
The examiner kept a hawkish eye on the desks during the final ten minutes.
hawkish eye
Priya noticed her grandmother's hawkish gaze whenever anyone touched the old silver box.
hawkish gaze
With hawkish attention, the customs officer checked every label on the shipment.
The nurse kept hawkish watch over the monitor until the patient's pulse steadied.
- watchful
neutral and more common
- vigilant
carefully alert for danger or mistakes
- eagle-eyed
informal; very good at noticing details
- inattentive
not paying enough attention
- unobservant
poor at noticing details
文法句型
hawkish attention / gaze / eye
用法筆記
Usually appears before nouns such as 'eye', 'gaze', or 'attention'. It is much less common than the political sense.