hawkish

Hawkish is an adjective describing a policy position that favors aggressive or hard-line measures, typically in the realms of national security or macroeconomic policy. The term derives from the image of a hawk, a bird of prey, and is used in contrast with dovish, which denotes a preference for conciliatory or passive approaches. In political discourse, a hawkish stance advocates stronger military readiness, higher defense spending, or a willingness to use force or threaten to do so, and is commonly discussed in debates over foreign policy and defense budgets. In monetary policy, the term describes policymakers who favor higher interest rates to curb inflation, even at the risk of slower growth, as opposed to a dovish stance that prioritizes job creation and price stability through easier policy.

Hawks are often contrasted with doves in legislative or bureaucratic debates, with public figures sometimes labeled as hawks or doves based on their stated positions or voting records. The term can be descriptive or evaluative, and its connotation depends on perspective; some view hawkish policies as prudent deterrence or necessary inflation control, while others view them as aggressive or economically risky. The usage extends beyond politics to business or media commentary, where hawkish language can describe a firm stance on issues such as security, trade, or regulatory policy.