tactic

play

noun tac·tic \ˈtak-tik\

Definition of tactic

1 : a device for accomplishing an end
2 : a method of employing forces in combat

See tactic defined for English-language learners

See tactic defined for kids

Examples of tactic in a Sentence

an effective tactic for solving crimes
We may need to change tactics.
a specialist in naval tactics

Recent Examples of tactic from the Web

Mother Nature switched her tactics this year at the Sloss Music & Arts Festival, wreaking havoc on Sunday with a sudden, torrential rainstorm.

— AL.com, "12 takeaways from Sloss Fest 2017 in Birmingham," 18 July 2017
However Arthur Woods, a biologist at the University of Montana, reports this week in Current Biology that sea spiders employ an alternative tactic.

— The Economist, "Sea spidersHow does an animal with no heart circulate oxygen?," 13 July 2017
And these are all documents related to the Bush administration's use of torture and coercive interrogation tactics against detainees.

— ellen mcgirt, Fortune, "Senators: Ask The FBI Nominee for His Diversity Plan," 12 July 2017
While the AAP created the list to remind medical professionals, moms and dads don't have to wait for check-ups to put these tactics to use.

— caroline picard, Good Housekeeping, "All Parents Should Master the 5 Rs With Their Kids," 7 July 2017
Instead of probing that network, Riedl asked human subjects to play the game and to describe their tactics aloud in real time.

— paul voosen, Science | AAAS, "How AI detectives are cracking open the black box of deep learning," 6 July 2017
RED BANK, N.J. (AP) — A New Jersey environmental group that has had success re-establishing oyster colonies in struggling waterways is trying a new tactic in two rivers at the Jersey shore: checking the water to see if oysters are already there.

— wayne parry, The Seattle Times, "‘Oyster wranglers’ scout rivers for signs of shellfish life," 4 July 2017
As The Washington Post has noted, users took credit when Reddit tweaked its algorithm last year, trying to stop subgroups from mass-voting their posts onto the site's front page — a favorite tactic on r/The_Donald.

— avi selk, chicagotribune.com, "A Reddit user who wrote about stabbing Muslims is claiming credit for Trump's CNN video," 2 July 2017
Xceligent’s accusations of CoStar’s allegedly monopolistic tactics are contained in a counterclaim filed Wednesday in federal court in Kansas City.

— steve vockrodt, kansascity, "Blue Springs firm Xceligent hits back at rival with antitrust lawsuit," 30 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'tactic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of tactic

New Latin tactica, from Greek taktikē, from feminine of taktikos

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1640

See Words from the same year

tactic

adjective tac·tic

Definition of tactic

: of or relating to arrangement or order

Origin and Etymology of tactic

New Latin tacticus, from Greek taktikos

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1871

See Words from the same year

-tactic

adjective combining form tac·tic

Definition of -tactic

1 : of, relating to, or having (such) an arrangement or pattern paratactic
2 : showing orientation or movement directed by a (specified) force or agent geotactic

Origin and Etymology of -tactic

Greek taktikos

TACTIC Defined for English Language Learners

tactic

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noun

Definition of tactic for English Language Learners

: an action or method that is planned and used to achieve a particular goal
tactics : the activity or skill of organizing and moving soldiers and equipment in a military battle

TACTIC Defined for Kids

tactic

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noun tac·tic \ˈtak-tik\

Definition of tactic for Students

: a planned action for some purpose “All that kid does is cry and he gets his way.” … “If I tried that tactic, my parents would just say, ‘Grow up.’ …” — Pam Zollman, Don't Bug Me!