Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
chicken-hawk
noun
/ˈtʃɪk.ən.hɔːk/
Definition
A person, particularly a politician, who advocates for war or military action but who does not serve in the military himself.
Examples
- Many considered the senator a chicken-hawk for pushing for military intervention while never having served in the armed forces.
- His chicken-hawk stance drew criticism from veterans who had firsthand experience of war.
Meaning
The term often carries a critical connotation, suggesting that the individual encourages others to fight while avoiding personal risk.
Synonyms
- Warmonger
- Armchair warrior
- Militarist
