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

This position is featured in Training With Moska: Practical Chess Exercises: Tactics, Strategy, Endgames (New In Chess, 349 pages).

— michael ciamarra, AL.com, "State chess championship preview, Sinquefield Cup brilliant game," 30 Aug. 2017
After being rebuffed in its efforts to regulate legal sports betting, New Jersey tried a different tactic: repealing its regulations regarding sports betting, leaving no law in place at all.

— wayne parry, The Seattle Times, "New Jersey to US Supreme Court: Strike down sports bet ban," 29 Aug. 2017
His arrest in 2013 presaged a crackdown on bond dealers who employ questionable sales tactics, which has led to criminal charges against another half-dozen traders and the departure of dozens more.

— chris dolmetsch, Bloomberg.com, "Ex-Trader Litvak Ordered to Federal Prison During His Appeal," 22 Aug. 2017
There is also an undercurrent of discontent with Democratic small-dollar-fundraising tactics, which tend to rely on negative messages that may not wear well over the long haul.

— ed kilgore, Daily Intelligencer, "Too Early for Democrats to Freak Out Over Fundraising ‘Crisis’," 21 Aug. 2017
That tactic allowed Ferrer to force two tiebreakers, although Ferrer was never able to get on the front foot.

— patrick brennan, Cincinnati.com, "Nick Kyrgios blasts way to W&S Open men's singles final," 19 Aug. 2017
This is a common tactic used by the Trump administration, which considered refocusing the government's Countering Violent Extremism program on Islamist groups, not white supremacists, and has proposed slashing funding for the program.

— jenna johnson and karoun demirjian, chicagotribune.com, "White House: Trump's condemnation includes 'white supremacists, KKK, neo-Nazi and all extremist groups'," 13 Aug. 2017
Airbnb has funded a watchdog blog, the Checks and Balances Project, to research the hotel industry’s lobbying tactics against the home sharing industry.

— chabeli herrera, miamiherald, "Hotel industry was set to fund a controversial Airbnb study. But FIU pulled the plug," 10 Aug. 2017
While at one time the perception was that women were less likely to be stopped or searched by police on the streets, officers’ tactics shifted over time to proactively engaging in public strip searches.

— Longreads, "The War on Drugs Is a War on Women of Color," 3 Aug. 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

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

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

play

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