ENGLISH
REFERENCE

hawks

n. countable
B1 Intermediate US //ˈhɔks// UK //hˈɔːks// hawks

n. large birds of prey that have sharp eyes and strong claws for hunting small animals. People also use this word to describe politicians who want to use military force or take strong action.

n. diurnal birds of prey belonging to the family Accipitridae, known for keen eyesight and hooked beaks. In a political context, the term refers to advocates of aggressive foreign policy or military intervention.


SIMPLE

The hawks circle high above the field looking for mice.

CONTEXTUAL

During the cabinet meeting, the hawks pushed for an immediate military response to the border violation.

COMPLEX

While the doves argued for continued diplomatic engagement, the hawks in the administration maintained that only a show of force would deter further aggression.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Usage

Often contrasted with 'doves' when used in a political or economic context.

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