tactical
adjective
tac·ti·cal
ˈtak-ti-kəl 
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
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
Amorim has been clearer and more consistent in explaining his tactical ideas and vision for the future.
—
Carl Anka, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
By positioning advanced warships and long-range aircraft near Venezuelan waters, Washington is seeking to demonstrate both tactical capability and political resolve.
—Amir Daftari
john Feng, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
At the tactical level, missile-and-artillery systems remain the most familiar element.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2025
Might tactical players recall that August also started with a quick drop (on tariffs and a bad jobs report), which testes S & P 500 support from a couple weeks earlier and actually put in the low for the entire month of August?
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tactical
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Carl Anka, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
By positioning advanced warships and long-range aircraft near Venezuelan waters, Washington is seeking to demonstrate both tactical capability and political resolve.
—Amir Daftari
john Feng, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
At the tactical level, missile-and-artillery systems remain the most familiar element.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2025
Might tactical players recall that August also started with a quick drop (on tariffs and a bad jobs report), which testes S & P 500 support from a couple weeks earlier and actually put in the low for the entire month of August?
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tactical
Cite this Entry
“Tactical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tactical. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.
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