tactical

adjective

ˈtak-ti-kəl How to pronounce tactical (audio)
Definition of tacticalnext
as in prudent
suitable for bringing about a desired result under the circumstances made the tactical move of becoming friendly with the journalism teacher, hoping that this would get him appointed editor of the school newspaper

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of tactical The maritime confrontations have provided a visual and tactical precedent for international actions, combining disruptions at sea with demonstrations on land and publicity campaigns online. — Asra Q. Nomani, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2026 In the photo, Consuelos, 55, transforms into Spider-Man, sporting the web-slinging superhero’s signature red-and-blue suit, while Ripa, 56, channels Yelena Belova in a tactical green ensemble. — Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2026 The girls were able to stay mindful and shake it off by executing the tactical stuff the right way. — Alex Kushel, Sun Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2026 The 2019–24 missions achieved important tactical successes by improving maritime awareness, intercepting some attacks, and stopping a complete shutdown of shipping. — Dana Stroul, Foreign Affairs, 28 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tactical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tactical
  1. prudent
  2. desirable
  3. wise
  4. possible
  5. politic
Adjective
  • Wrangler in focus Kontoor is taking a prudent approach in planning Wrangler’s business.
    — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Raven has also built some tangible privacy controls into the hardware (a prudent choice given recent privacy concerns surrounding smart glasses).
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of prudent
Adjective
  • Rather, the study merely serves as a warning that should this happen in the future, the outcome would not be desirable.
    — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 1 Nov. 2026
  • Other interviewees remembered a time when families seeking husbands for their daughters preferred sons of party cadres; today, a man with access to foreign currency or a profitable business can be much more desirable.
    — Jieun Baek, Foreign Affairs, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of desirable
Adjective
  • Presumably reserved for subsequent seasons are his refusal to fight in Vietnam, activism, absences and comebacks, the Thrilla in Manila, the Rumble in the Jungle, Parkinson’s — though this is a good place to stop, arc-wise and art-wise.
    — Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2026
  • And as for Escola, the Tony-winning actor and writer's film-star curls landed right between Palmer's and Anderson's, style-wise, with a pageboy shape and that dramatic swoop teased and sculpted into an exaggerated shape for a cheeky finish.
    — Kara Nesvig, Allure, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of wise
Adjective
  • Digital twin technology makes this possible by creating virtual representations of real-world objects, systems, and processes that can be updated with operational data.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 8 Nov. 2026
  • The meteorological agency warned people to brace for possible strong quakes in the coming week, especially the next two to three days.
    — Yuri Kageyama, Los Angeles Times, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of possible
Adjective
  • Coaxing out his talents fell to a more politic peer.
    — Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 22 June 2026
  • What’s depicted focuses on the advances these early feminists made at the school and in society, and the personal tensions between the relentlessly radical Marks and the more politic Woolley.
    — Manuel Mendoza, Dallas Morning News, 19 Feb. 2026
Definition of politic

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tactic
tactical
tactics
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Cite this Entry

“Tactical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tactical. Accessed 8 Nov. 2026.

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