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hawk

0 antonyms and opposites of hawk, grouped by meaning.

Noun — A medium-sized bird of prey that hunts other animals from the air.

How to use hawk

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

hawk-eyed war hawk hawk and dove

Etymology

From Old English hafoc, from a very old Germanic word possibly meaning "to seize" — hawks being named for how they catch their prey.

Full origin of hawk →

Frequently asked questions

What does “hawk” mean?

The word “hawk” means a medium-sized bird of prey that hunts other animals from the air. In plain terms, most often the bird of prey; also used for someone who favours tough, aggressive action, especially in politics.

How do you pronounce “hawk”?

“Hawk” is pronounced HAWK (/ˈhɔːk/ in IPA).

How do you use “hawk” in a sentence?

Here is “hawk” used in a sentence: “A hawk circled slowly above the field, watching for movement.”

What part of speech is “hawk”?

Depending on how it is used, “hawk” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “hawk” come from?

The word “hawk” comes from Old English. From Old English hafoc, from a very old Germanic word possibly meaning "to seize" — hawks being named for how they catch their prey.

Is “hawk” a common word?

“Hawk” is a fairly common word in modern English.

How many meanings does “hawk” have?

“Hawk” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a medium-sized bird of prey that hunts other animals from the air.

What is the difference between a hawk and an eagle?

A hawk is a medium-sized bird of prey, generally smaller than an eagle, though both hunt other animals from the air. Eagles are typically larger and more powerfully built, while hawks are more agile and often hunt smaller prey.

What does it mean to call someone a hawk in politics?

In politics or economics, a hawk is a person who supports an aggressive or forceful stance, such as favoring military action or tighter monetary policy. This figurative use contrasts with a "dove," who favors a more peaceful or cautious approach.

What is the difference between to hawk goods and to hawk (clear the throat)?

To hawk goods means to sell them, especially in public, often while calling out to attract buyers. To hawk, in the other sense, means to clear the throat noisily, often to bring up phlegm — an unrelated meaning that happens to share the same word.

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Synonyms and antonyms from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA.