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
Victor Osimhen has been highlighted as the ideal tactical fit for United thanks to his ability to do what Ruben Amorim’s side have particularly struggled at: putting the ball in the back of the net.
—
Ali Rampling, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
While others juggled safety cars, strategy gambles, and crumbling tyre sets, the 24-year-old turned tactical advantage into a masterclass.
—Kanzah Maktoum, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Evans is best known for his duo of tactical squad thrillers centring on the Indonesian National Police in The Raid (2011), and The Raid 2 (2014).
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Apr. 2025
Their penalty kill, which had one of the better stretches of its inconsistent campaign amid some personnel changes and tactical shifts, got lit up for three goals.
—Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 12 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tactical
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Ali Rampling, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
While others juggled safety cars, strategy gambles, and crumbling tyre sets, the 24-year-old turned tactical advantage into a masterclass.
—Kanzah Maktoum, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Evans is best known for his duo of tactical squad thrillers centring on the Indonesian National Police in The Raid (2011), and The Raid 2 (2014).
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Apr. 2025
Their penalty kill, which had one of the better stretches of its inconsistent campaign amid some personnel changes and tactical shifts, got lit up for three goals.
—Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 12 Apr. 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 23 Apr. 2025.
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