tactic

American  

[tak-tik] / ˈtæk tɪk /

noun

1. tactics.

2. a system or a detail of tactics.

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

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adjective

1. of or relating to arrangement or order; tactical.

-tactic ¹ British  

combining form

1. having a specified kind of pattern or arrangement or having an orientation determined by a specified force

   syndiotactic

   phototactic

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tactic ² British  

/ ˈtæktɪk /

noun

1. a piece of tactics; tactical move See also tactics

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Other Word Forms

• nontactic noun

Etymology

Origin of tactic

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

Example Sentences

They agreed to waive the home inspection, a common tactic to help buyers sweeten their offers to sellers.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

Earlier this month, a federal judge quashed subpoenas issued to the Fed as part of the probe, with the court saying there was "a mountain of evidence" to suggest the investigation was a pressure tactic.

From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026

“Maybe it’s a TACO, maybe it’s a negotiating tactic, or maybe it’s a ruse. No one knows for sure, maybe not even Trump himself,” Elliott said.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 23, 2026

"One tactic is using suction traps that rely on steady cues, such as continuous CO2 release or constant light sources, to attract mosquitoes," Zuo said.

From Science Daily • Mar. 22, 2026

Aerial ramming—or, in Russian, taran—was a desperate tactic to be undertaken as a last resort.

From "A Thousand Sisters" by Elizabeth Wein

Related Words

• ploy