as in methods
the means or procedure for doing something
this clearly isn't working, so let's take a different tack in trying to solve the problem
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Recent Examples of tacks
Richard Ramos, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
On top of the federal gas tax that every driver pays, each state tacks on its own local gas tax.
—Keith Laing, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
Celebrity nail artist Brittney Boyce uses CND’s Kiss From a Rose for the base, and tacks on a cross at the center of each nail.
—Audrey Noble, Vogue, 8 Mar. 2026
In addition to the components that make up the sports plan, the sports and news option tacks on CNBC, Fox News Channel, MS NOW, CNN, CSPAN, Bloomberg and Fox Business.
—Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 9 Feb. 2026
Customers will also find necessities such as threads, stretcher bars, tacks, scissors and a selection of self-finishing items.
—Julianna Chen, Dallas Morning News, 3 Feb. 2026
The new deal tacks on an additional four years, and $106 million of new money.
—Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Scrub the tacks, then wipe clean with a damp cloth and dry the area thoroughly.
—Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 17 Jan. 2026
Made from 100 percent cotton, the high-rise, wide, straight leg jean boasts finished seams and bar tacks.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 13 Jan. 2026
Noun
California's special gas blend tacks on roughly 10-15 cents per gallon to refining costs.
—Richard Ramos, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
On top of the federal gas tax that every driver pays, each state tacks on its own local gas tax.
—Keith Laing, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
Celebrity nail artist Brittney Boyce uses CND’s Kiss From a Rose for the base, and tacks on a cross at the center of each nail.
—Audrey Noble, Vogue, 8 Mar. 2026
In addition to the components that make up the sports plan, the sports and news option tacks on CNBC, Fox News Channel, MS NOW, CNN, CSPAN, Bloomberg and Fox Business.
—Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 9 Feb. 2026
Customers will also find necessities such as threads, stretcher bars, tacks, scissors and a selection of self-finishing items.
—Julianna Chen, Dallas Morning News, 3 Feb. 2026
The new deal tacks on an additional four years, and $106 million of new money.
—Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Scrub the tacks, then wipe clean with a damp cloth and dry the area thoroughly.
—Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 17 Jan. 2026
Made from 100 percent cotton, the high-rise, wide, straight leg jean boasts finished seams and bar tacks.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 13 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tacks
Noun
-
The project, known as QUASAR-CREATE, seeks to address a specific vulnerability in modern digital infrastructure, which is the eventual ability of quantum computers to bypass current encryption methods.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Apr. 2026
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Using methods including high-resolution 3D scanning, researchers found that many of the 92 fragments bear cut marks on their inner surfaces, indicating that the turtles were carefully butchered by Neanderthals — with limbs detached, internal organs removed and shells thoroughly cleaned.—
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Joe Rodon clips a pass over the top of the Brentford defence for Calvert-Lewin to contest.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
25 Mar. 2026
-
The holder clips right to your pack or waders and keeps everything in a neat, easy-to-dispense stack.—
Francesca Krempa,
Outside,
23 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
The probability of lightning strikes rises as a thunderstorm approaches and peaks when the storm is directly above.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Apr. 2026
-
As the nation’s tax-filing deadline approaches, immigrants worry that filing taxes may put them in danger after the IRS shared information with ICE last year.—
Carlos De Loera,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Take the quiz here … DUGOUT DANGER — Grand slam redemption follows terrifying moment when batter nails his own boss.—
,
FOXNews.com,
14 Apr. 2026
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Domingo nails it as the cutting teacher who has choice words about the robber’s style choices while his students offer their own insults.—
Omar L. Gallaga,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
This plan is meant to align with a state requirement that local governments maintain climate adaptation and resiliency strategies in their general plans.—
Ian James,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Zolghadr played a central role in the regime’s strategies for cracking down on anti-government demonstrations, including in the 2009 Green Movement protests.—
Sudarsan Raghavan,
New Yorker,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Sanjar’s hope is that land managers elsewhere in the state will be able to use the method to complement other techniques — something that the South Florida Water Management District may pursue.—
Bill Kearney,
Sun Sentinel,
19 Apr. 2026
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One session led by Google software engineer Deep Shah focused on new techniques intended to help manage the operational costs of running tons of AI agents.—
Jonathan Vanian,
CNBC,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Pocket Grip also features a central hex drive that clamps a standard hex bit.—
Maryna Holovnova,
New Atlas,
4 Mar. 2026
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The device, which clamps onto the line just above the hook and pairs zinc and graphite in seawater, creates a small electric field about the size of a beachball around the hook, and rattles approaching sharks.—
Bill Kearney,
Sun Sentinel,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The totals are incomplete because agencies like the FBI have found ways to access the data without reporting the searches publicly, said Elizabeth Goitein, senior director of the Liberty and National Security Program at the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 Apr. 2026
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Still, chefs work within supply limits, introducing the product in deliberate ways and building familiarity one dish at a time.—
Jaia Clingham-David,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tacks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tacks. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
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