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
The evacuation warning that was in place was lifted at approximately 4:30 p.m.
At the height of the fire fight, there were 17 total engines, three hand crews, two dozers, four water tenders, four air tankers, one helicopter and one air tactical aircraft on the incident.
—
Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 14 June 2025
For those looking to create lasting impressions with friends or family, printing a photo on a tactical object, such as a canvas print or metal print, helps the gift last a lifetime.
—Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 14 June 2025
Guardiola's squad still boasts depth, but the tactical shift post-De Bruyne will be closely watched.
—Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 June 2025
Federal agents arrived in armored trucks, wearing tactical gear and carrying military-style rifles, for a raid on a clothing wholesaler on June 6 less than two miles from Los Angeles City Hall.
—Bora Erden, New York Times, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for tactical
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Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 14 June 2025
For those looking to create lasting impressions with friends or family, printing a photo on a tactical object, such as a canvas print or metal print, helps the gift last a lifetime.
—Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 14 June 2025
Guardiola's squad still boasts depth, but the tactical shift post-De Bruyne will be closely watched.
—Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 June 2025
Federal agents arrived in armored trucks, wearing tactical gear and carrying military-style rifles, for a raid on a clothing wholesaler on June 6 less than two miles from Los Angeles City Hall.
—Bora Erden, New York Times, 13 June 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 18 Jun. 2025.
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