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
Relying on a single revenue stream, funding partner or tactical approach is increasingly risky.
—
Kirsten Wegner, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
The second quality is psychological: his tactical reading of the game.
—Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 21 May 2025
Lagercrantz completed seven acquisitions during the financial year ranging from the acquiring of a protective cases manufacturing company CP Cases to tactical telescope mast system provider Mastsystem.
—Chloe Taylor,sawdah Bhaimiya,holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 20 May 2025
Andonovski and his staff brought a few tactical wrinkles for Friday’s match.
—Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 17 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for tactical
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Kirsten Wegner, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
The second quality is psychological: his tactical reading of the game.
—Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 21 May 2025
Lagercrantz completed seven acquisitions during the financial year ranging from the acquiring of a protective cases manufacturing company CP Cases to tactical telescope mast system provider Mastsystem.
—Chloe Taylor,sawdah Bhaimiya,holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 20 May 2025
Andonovski and his staff brought a few tactical wrinkles for Friday’s match.
—Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 17 May 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 25 May. 2025.
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