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
Gregory’s troupe was called the Manhattan Project, aiming to produce theatrical tactical strikes.
—
Christopher Bonanos, Vulture, 23 Feb. 2026
Autonomous aircraft handle high-risk or repetitive tactical tasks.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 23 Feb. 2026
The team’s sergeant has been reassigned to the department’s Gang Investigation Division, police said, while two members of the tactical team remain assigned to the Near North District, covering the River North, the Gold Coast and Lincoln Park neighborhoods.
—Caroline Kubzansky, Chicago Tribune, 23 Feb. 2026
My mornings have now turned into a covert tactical operation.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 21 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tactical
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Christopher Bonanos, Vulture, 23 Feb. 2026
Autonomous aircraft handle high-risk or repetitive tactical tasks.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 23 Feb. 2026
The team’s sergeant has been reassigned to the department’s Gang Investigation Division, police said, while two members of the tactical team remain assigned to the Near North District, covering the River North, the Gold Coast and Lincoln Park neighborhoods.
—Caroline Kubzansky, Chicago Tribune, 23 Feb. 2026
My mornings have now turned into a covert tactical operation.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 21 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tactical
Cite this Entry
“Tactical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tactical. Accessed 1 Mar. 2026.
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