Hawked

The past tense of 'hawk,' meaning to offer goods for sale, especially by calling out in public; to peddle or vend. It also can refer to forcibly clearing the throat or, in falconry, to hunting with hawks. Furthermore, it can idiomatically mean to publicize or promote something aggressively or in a persistent manner. The connotation can vary based on context, ranging from simple commerce to insistent and sometimes unwelcome promotion or solicitation. The term evokes images of bustling marketplaces, fervent advertisements, or the sharp cry of a hawk. The action implies a proactive approach, seeking to attract attention and make a transaction.

Hawked meaning with examples

• The street vendor hawked his wares – vibrant, hand-woven scarves – to passersby, their colorful display catching the sunlight. His calls of 'Beautiful scarves! Get your beautiful scarves!' echoed down the street as he attempted to entice potential customers. He hoped to sell all his inventory before nightfall. He knew it took lots of vocal advertising.
• The real estate agent aggressively hawked the new development, plastering flyers on every available surface and bombarding potential buyers with calls. Their relentless promotion strategy aimed to quickly fill the complex with tenants. Some residents found this level of active encouragement to be excessive and invasive but he wanted to generate sales. He wasn't afraid to take risks.
• During the meeting, Mr. Peterson frequently hawked, clearing his throat loudly between sentences, causing the room to get interrupted during sensitive discussions. He finally used a throat lozenge to alleviate the irritation. No one liked this behavior, and several people mentioned that he should seek medical attention. The interruption disrupted their focus.
• The falconer hawked his bird, sending it soaring over the field in pursuit of its prey. Watching the graceful swoop of the hawk captivated him. The skilled hunt was an example of his great expertise in a practice that he loved. Each day offered a new level of enjoyment.
• After the scandal broke, the politician, hoping to win back public trust, hawked his accomplishments, desperately trying to shift focus away from his failures. He used many different methods, including public speeches. The damage had already been done, and only a small amount of the public felt like he could make a difference in the future. It was his last ditch effort.