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

During the exchange of gunfire, tactical medic Tyler Carls of the Rochelle Fire Department was struck in the armor, City of Oregon Police Sergeant Tad Deminsky took a gunshot wound to the upper arm and Lieutenant Jason Ketter, of the Ogle County Sheriff's Office, was struck in the face. —Chris Pandolfo, Fox News, 20 June 2024

Related article Israel’s plan for ‘tactical pause’ for aid raises questions and deepens rifts. —Sophie Tanno, CNN, 20 June 2024

Pickpockets operate in Barcelona with tactical efficiency, so keep your phone tight and your pockets zipped. —Jamie Ditaranto, Travel + Leisure, 19 June 2024

El Al, which recently reported record profits, has shipped tens of thousands of duffel bags full of items requested by Israeli combat soldiers, including tactical boots, helmets, flashlights, rifle scopes, drones and clothing, since Oct. 7. —Asaf Elia-Shalev, Sun Sentinel, 19 June 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