tactic

[ tak-tik ]

/ ˈtæk tɪk /

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See synonyms for: tactic / tactics on Thesaurus.com

noun

tactics (def. 1).

a system or a detail of tactics.

a plan, procedure, or expedient for promoting a desired end or result.

adjective

of or relating to arrangement or order; tactical.

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Origin of tactic

1560–70; New Latin tacticus <Greek taktikós “fit for arranging or ordering,” equivalent to tak- (base of tássein (Attic táttein ) “to arrange, put in order”) + -tikos -tic

OTHER WORDS FROM tactic

non·tac·tic, noun, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH tactic

1. tactic , tactics2. stratagem, tactic

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use tactic in a sentence

But he added that the tactic ensured all “relevant” topics in the world of politics were back to the world of Paul.
Rand Paul’s Passive-Aggressive Trolling Campaign|Olivia Nuzzi|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
As an election tactic, it was a Hail-Mary move: a half-hour address by an aging actor of no political standing or constituency.
Remembering Reagan’s Defining Speech|Stuart Stevens|October 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“Once we have any intelligence about a tunnel dug into Israel, we will use whatever tactic we can to stop it,” he said.
Israeli Diplomat Says Gaza War Taught Hamas a Lesson|Eli Lake|August 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
When that tactic failed to break the strike, the Sikhs received a visitor: a representative from the Indian consulate in Houston.
How the U.S. Sold Out Indian Asylum Seekers on the Border|Caitlin Dickson|August 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST

It was a tactic designed to force Israeli concessions before talks break down.
The Gaza Paradox: Hamas Has Little Support, but the War Has a Lot|Jesse Rosenfeld|August 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I wanted to jump and shout, but I compromised by taking Dr. Hudson down for a gleeful drink and planning our next tactic.
Nine Men in Time|Noel Miller Loomis
This old-fashioned tactic of answering one question by another, is excellent, and nearly always succeeds.
The Border Rifles|Gustave Aimard
Throwing his wheel over slightly, he tried the tactic of crowding the other off the course.
The Rival Campers|Ruel Perley Smith
In vain, or nearly so, is Friedrich's tactic or manoeuvring talent; what now is there to manoeuvre?
History of Friedrich II. of Prussia, Vol. XVIII. (of XXI.)|Thomas Carlyle
The man who overrides you will as often be pursuing a tactic as he cajoles you.
The Unpopular Review Vol. I|Various

British Dictionary definitions for tactic (1 of 2)

tactic

/ (ˈtæktɪk) /

noun

a piece of tactics; tactical moveSee also tactics

British Dictionary definitions for tactic (2 of 2)

-tactic

adj combining form

having a specified kind of pattern or arrangement or having an orientation determined by a specified forcesyndiotactic; phototactic

Word Origin for -tactic

from Greek taktikos relating to order or arrangement; see tactics

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

tactic

Origin of tactic

OTHER WORDS FROM tactic

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH tactic

Words related to tactic

How to use tactic in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for tactic (1 of 2)

British Dictionary definitions for tactic (2 of 2)

Word Origin for -tactic