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
In North Carolina, agents -- some heavily armed in tactical gear and unmarked vehicles -- have carried out arrests in the Charlotte area and near the capital city of Raleigh.
—
Arkansas Online, 21 Nov. 2025
He was dressed in full black, with a gas mask and ballistic helmet covering his face and head, as well as a bullet-resistant vest, leggings, a throat protector, a groin protector and tactical gloves.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 21 Nov. 2025
Assault units are being deployed to reinforce the sector, with commanders taking steps to improve tactical positions.
—Matthew Robinson, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2025
Willer said Citi stopped out of its tactical long in the S & P 500, adding the bank would take profits on its long Nasdaq 100 and S & P 500 Equal Weight Index trades.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 21 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tactical
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Arkansas Online, 21 Nov. 2025
He was dressed in full black, with a gas mask and ballistic helmet covering his face and head, as well as a bullet-resistant vest, leggings, a throat protector, a groin protector and tactical gloves.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 21 Nov. 2025
Assault units are being deployed to reinforce the sector, with commanders taking steps to improve tactical positions.
—Matthew Robinson, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2025
Willer said Citi stopped out of its tactical long in the S & P 500, adding the bank would take profits on its long Nasdaq 100 and S & P 500 Equal Weight Index trades.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 21 Nov. 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 23 Nov. 2025.
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