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 On social media, the White House has depicted a military operation carried out with ruthless efficiency, using Air Force C-17s, ICE agents in tactical vests and soldiers in camo. — Mckenzie Funk, ProPublica, 1 Apr. 2025 Questions on attack plans sent in Signal Caine also was asked about senior national security officials using a Signal chat to communicate about airstrikes against Yemen’s Houthis, including Hegseth posting tactical details before the operation had launched. — Tara Copp, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2025 The soldiers went missing last Tuesday while conducting a mission to repair and tow an immobilized tactical vehicle. — Alex Sundby, CBS News, 31 Mar. 2025 Unlike strategic weapons, tactical nuclear weapons are designed for use on the battlefield or in what is known as a specific theater. — Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for tactical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tactical
  1. prudent
  2. desirable
  3. wise
  4. possible
  5. politic
Adjective
  • Not all stocks will weather the storm equally, but undervalued, dividend-paying companies—particularly those with strong balance sheets and a track record of prudent capital discipline—are well-positioned to navigate the turbulence.
    — John Buckingham, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Her action was no surprise—judges don’t tend to be well disposed toward efforts to bump them off cases, which is why prudent litigants are wary of making such requests.
    — Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of prudent
Adjective
  • However, for industries with short value chains, such as data and information services or software companies, forming a joint venture will invariably require joining forces with an existing or future competitor and is therefore less desirable.
    — Raj Sharma, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
  • In a hot market, appraisal gaps became commonplace in the most desirable neighborhoods and price points.
    — TC Brown, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2025
Definition of desirable
Adjective
  • Mid-soul-searching, a wise friend suggested something.
    — Jed Brewer, Rolling Stone, 1 Apr. 2025
  • Some are even considering locking up their assets in various types of irrevocable trusts in advanced estate planning transactions without knowing what their exemption amount will be, which candidly is the current wise advice amongst the private wealth planning community.
    — Darren T. Case, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
Definition of wise
Adjective
  • Citing the sheriff's office, WESH reported that deputies initially responded to a report of a possible shooting at the couple's home in Orlo Vista, just west of Orlando, at around 3:45 p.m. on Tuesday, March 25.
    — Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 31 Mar. 2025
  • Russian troops often carve that backs off their assault cars’ cabs in order to facilitate a quick exit, so there was nothing but a possible thin screen to stop an FPV that barreled toward the anti-tank mine resting in the back of one idling Lada.
    — David Axe, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
Definition of possible
Adjective
  • Yet, while activist evangelical women worked with these groups, Schlafly’s Catholicism limited her ability to reach evangelicals who were more ambivalent about politic involvement.
    — Emily Suzanne Johnson / Made By History, TIME, 3 June 2024
  • That doesn’t always gel with the sardonic remove the writers built into their material, nor the show’s prescient awareness of the sardonic tango of showbiz and politic power, personal branding and the possibility for genuinely populist adoration by those craving relief from being ignored.
    — Chris Jones, chicagotribune.com, 4 Feb. 2022
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 13 Apr. 2025.

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