Dictionary

war hawk en · NOUN

Etymology

Late 18th c., often attributed to Virginian Congressman John Randolph of Roanoke, but no written evidence exists. Popularized in debates concerning the War of 1812. Sense "eagle" probably a calque of Old English guþhafoc

Meanings

1. (figuratively) A proponent of war or military intrusiveness.
   • Suddenly, John R. Bolton, the conservative war hawk and favorite villain of the left, is the toast of Senate Democrats, the last, best hope to prove their abuse-of-power case against President Trump. 2020 January 28, Peter Baker, “For John Bolton, an ‘Upside-Down World’ After Trump Revelation”, in The New York Times:
   • But critics of Washington’s hyper-aggressive foreign policy need to understand that the flight of many of the worst war hawks from the Republican Party does not mean the GOP has returned to its non-interventionist roots. 2024 October 17, Connor Okeeffe, “Beware of war hawks in ‘America First’ clothing”, in The Orange County Register:
2. (dated, literary) An eagle.

Forms

Synonyms

warmonger · hawk

Translations (1)

fi haukka (proponent of war)

wikipedia: John Randolph of Roanoke