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

tactically

ˈtak-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• advisable
• desirable
• expedient
• judicious
• politic
• prudent
• wise

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

Brancato’s ready to order a tactical pause, but Acting President Duke Nukem insists on moving forward with the attack. —Sara Netzley, EW.com, 5 Nov. 2024

Remember: successful treks begin with the right gear, so keep scrolling to explore the 14 best tactical hiking pants, leggings, and tights that skip the bulk and maximize performance and comfort. —Michelle Tchea, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2024

War has brought death and devastation to Gaza and Lebanon, but various players still see within it a big chance worth seizing: to end the fighting, capitalize on tactical successes, crush their foes, or (more grandiosely) remake the region. —Kim Ghattas, The Atlantic, 2 Nov. 2024

Among the products were tactical vests, backpacks and plate carriers, which Crye identified as knockoffs due to inconsistencies in coloring with its MultiCam pattern. —Annie Palmer,katie Tarasov, CNBC, 25 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

tactic entry 1 or tactic entry 2 + -al entry 1

Note: An early use by the mathematician and occultist John Dee in his preface to Henry Billingsley's translation of Euclid's Elements (1570) is perhaps directly from Greek taktikós + -al entry 1.

First Known Use

1570, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

tactical

adjective

tac·​ti·​cal ˈtak-ti-kəl 

: of or relating to tactics

tactically

-k(ə-)lē 

adverb