tactical

adjective

tac·​ti·​cal ˈtak-ti-kəl How to pronounce tactical (audio)
1
: of or relating to combat tactics: such as
a(1)
: of or occurring at the battlefront
a tactical defense
a tactical first strike
(2)
: using or being weapons or forces employed at the battlefront
tactical missiles
b
of an air force : of, relating to, or designed for air attack in close support of friendly ground forces
2
a
: of or relating to tactics: such as
(1)
: of or relating to small-scale actions serving a larger purpose
(2)
: made or carried out with only a limited or immediate end in view
b
: adroit in planning or maneuvering to accomplish a purpose
tactically adverb

Examples of tactical in a Sentence

They gained a tactical advantage by joining with one of their competitors. He made a serious tactical error. The planes provided tactical air support for the soldiers on the ground.
Recent Examples on the Web The Kansas City Police Department set up a tactical response for an armed, barricaded suspect, according to Capt. Jake Becchina, a department spokesperson. Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 1 Mar. 2024 Before Russia widened its war on Ukraine in February 2022, the 140-strong Su-34 fleet was the main repository of tactical strike expertise in the Russian air force. David Axe, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 Russia transferred tactical nuclear weapons to neighboring Belarus last year, and CNN reported this month that Russia is attempting to develop a nuclear space weapon that could destroy satellites. Christian Edwards, CNN, 29 Feb. 2024 Germany, Italy and France will also provide warships for the mission, joining the Hydra, while Italy will assume tactical command, according to Greek officials. Derek Gatopoulos, Quartz, 26 Feb. 2024 Police used a tactical armored vehicle, SWAT team, negotiators and robot. The Arizona Republic, 26 Feb. 2024 The Atomic Bear Stealth Pen Buy on Amazon $50 Since Fora Travel Pro Travel Advisor Jacqueline de Guzman so often travels for business on her own, often getting back to her hotel room late at night, her husband bought her a tactical safety pen. Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 25 Feb. 2024 The Gillette Police Department's tactical unit and crisis negotiators also responded to the scene and a standoff ensued, which remains active as of late Tuesday evening. Elizabeth Pritchett, Fox News, 14 Feb. 2024 Professional militaries link tactical actions to strategic objectives that serve broader political aims. Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tactical.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

tactic entry 1 or tactic entry 2 + -al entry 1

Note: An early use by the mathematician and occultist John Dee in his preface to Henry Billingsley's translation of Euclid's Elements (1570) is perhaps directly from Greek taktikós + -al entry 1.

First Known Use

1570, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of tactical was in 1570

Dictionary Entries Near tactical

Cite this Entry

“Tactical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tactical. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

tactical

adjective
tac·​ti·​cal ˈtak-ti-kəl How to pronounce tactical (audio)
: of or relating to tactics
tactically adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on tactical

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