tactics

noun

tac·​tics ˈtak-tiks How to pronounce tactics (audio)
plural in form but singular or plural in construction
1
a
: the science and art of disposing and maneuvering forces in combat
b
: the art or skill of employing available means to accomplish an end
2
: a system or mode of procedure
3
: the study of the grammatical relations within a language including morphology and syntax

Examples of tactics in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web But that did not occur without hiccups, as Florida Senator Rick Scott challenged McConnell for the post following a months-long feud over midterm election tactics. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 13 Feb. 2023 Below, 15 members share old-school approaches their agencies will be leveraging in 2023 to complement more contemporary tactics. Expert Panel®, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2023 Such tactics have proven vital to the participants in Midnight Golf and their collective success. Scott Talley, Freep.com, 12 Feb. 2023 Brody's father, Bret Alexander, helped refine tactics and pioneer the sport fishery for whitefish. Paul A. Smith, Journal Sentinel, 12 Feb. 2023 Such slash-and-burn tactics are a staple not just of his political life, but also of his decades-long career in business before his White House tenure. Maggie Haberman, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2023 Yes, there are more feasible climate mitigation tactics that can be employed now and in the near future. Kasha Patel, Anchorage Daily News, 9 Feb. 2023 Companies making baby formula have examined every step of the infant feeding decision-making process and created tactics to manipulate it. Cecília Tomori, STAT, 8 Feb. 2023 Infant formula manufacturers have used predatory marketing tactics to prey on the fears of new parents for decades—to the tune of billions of dollars annually, according to a new series in The Lancet, backed by the World Health Organization. Erin Prater, Fortune, 7 Feb. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tactics.' 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

Greek taktikós tactic entry 2 + -ics, after New Latin tactica, borrowed from Greek taktiká, noun derivative from neuter plural of taktikós

First Known Use

1626, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of tactics was in 1626

Dictionary Entries Near tactics

Cite this Entry

“Tactics.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tactics. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

tactics

noun singular or plural
tac·​tics ˈtak-tiks How to pronounce tactics (audio)
1
a
: the science and art of arranging and moving forces in combat
b
: the art or skill of using available means to accomplish an end
2
: a system or method of proceeding

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