tactical
Americanadjective
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of or relating to tactics, especially the placement of military or naval forces in battle or at the front line of a battle.
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characterized by skillful tactics or adroit maneuvering or procedure, especially of military or naval forces.
tactical movements.
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(of a weapon) short range, as battlefield missiles.
A tactical nuclear weapon would still present significant risks to battlefield troops on both sides of the conflict.
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of or relating to a maneuver or plan of action designed as an expedient toward gaining a desired end or temporary advantage.
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expedient; calculated.
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prudent; politic.
adjective
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of, relating to, or employing tactics
a tactical error
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(of weapons, attacks, etc) used in or supporting limited military operations
a tactical missile
tactical bombing
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skilful or diplomatic
a tactical manoeuvre
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of tactical
Explanation
A tactical move on the military's part is one that is carefully planned and often small in scale, but important in getting control of an area. Tactical comes from the Greek taktike techne meaning "art of arrangement." When something is tactical, it is artfully arranged, or planned. This most often refers to military or naval operations, but it doesn't have to. When someone does something with a goal that is beyond the immediate result of his action, that can be seen as a tactical move. For example, renovating your kitchen might be a tactical move if you're planning to eventually sell your house and want to increase its property value.
Vocabulary lists containing tactical
Ender's Game
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"Principles of Business," Vocabulary from Chapter 7
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The Madis consists of two Joint Light Tactical Vehicles, the successor to the Humvee.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 30, 2026
CAP Tactical was closed on Sunday and Monday and a call requesting comment was not returned by Monday afternoon.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 28, 2026
Tactical security teams with guns drawn took position on the stage where Trump was seated alongside his wife Melania, Vice President JD Vance and other officials, who were swiftly evacuated.
From Barron's • Apr. 26, 2026
Four deals for Israel, totaling nearly $6.7 billion, include up to 30 AH-64E Apache attack helicopters, AW-119Kx light utility helicopters, 3,250 Joint Light Tactical Vehicles and Namer Armored Personnel Carrier Power Packs.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 31, 2026
A Tactical Patrol Force Captain, Harry Kaiser, said no unusual occurrences had been noted, and he anticipated no trouble.
From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
