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
Facing a criminal autocrat, the United States needed to prepare for war with the Soviets by all possible means, including tactical atomic weapons delivered by bomber and rocket.
—
Big Think, 27 Nov. 2025
Analysts often said that battlefield nukes, known as tactical weapons, offered little strategic advantage for Putin in Ukraine.
—Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2025
Local authorities arrested Garner that day and found multiple guns, body armor, a tactical vest and a large supply of ammo in his vehicle, per OPB.
—Liam Quinn, PEOPLE, 25 Nov. 2025
Revelations about the contract — and the lawsuit’s allegations — appear to illustrate a broader, tactical push to stymie Missouri from holding a referendum on the map.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 24 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tactical
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Big Think, 27 Nov. 2025
Analysts often said that battlefield nukes, known as tactical weapons, offered little strategic advantage for Putin in Ukraine.
—Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2025
Local authorities arrested Garner that day and found multiple guns, body armor, a tactical vest and a large supply of ammo in his vehicle, per OPB.
—Liam Quinn, PEOPLE, 25 Nov. 2025
Revelations about the contract — and the lawsuit’s allegations — appear to illustrate a broader, tactical push to stymie Missouri from holding a referendum on the map.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 24 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 30 Nov. 2025.
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