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• tactic
  tactic

  noun

  tactics.
• -tactic
  -tactic

  combining form

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

tactic

American  

[tak-tik] / ˈtæk tɪk /

noun

• tactics
  plural

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

Derived Forms

• nontactic
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• tactics
  plural

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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

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Explanation

Tactic is another word for a maneuver or method. If begging doesn't convince your parents to raise your allowance, you might want to try a different tactic—like doing all your chores without being asked. English-speakers have been talking about tactics since at least 1640, when this word was first recorded. A tactic is just a way to do something, a plan, or an approach. Generals have to have a good grasp on military tactics to win a battle; football teams have to use strong defensive tactics to keep the other guys from scoring. One time-tested tactic for winning over a teacher? Always turn your homework in on time!

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

tactic tactics

By running the appliances in off-peak hours, the tactic is supposed to save her money.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 10, 2026

Douglas Jardine, England's charismatic captain, came up with a tactic that would change the game forever: Bodyline.

From BBC ● Sep. 29, 2026

The U.S. also has put a naval blockade on Iran, stopping its oil shipments, as a pressure tactic.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 18, 2026

As Charen notes, the tactic makes it hard to defend decency, because we “risk mockery by insisting that no, not everybody does it.”

From Salon ● Sep. 18, 2026

I knew this was a tactic: she was remaining silent so that I would become so uncomfortable that I had to say something, even if I didn’t really want to.

From "The Girl on the Train" by Paula Hawkins

But the hackers did not say if they were from Russia or Ukraine, and their claims were dismissed as an attempt to distance themselves from the cyber-crime extortion tactics Qilin were known for.

From BBC ● Oct. 16, 2026

The Sheriff’s Department has said that it cited Barraza for failing to deploy de-escalation tactics before using force and that it disciplined a sergeant for failures during the assessment after the incident.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2026

To prepare for combat, cadets should learn land navigation, weapons handling, communications, casualty care and small-unit tactics as well as field exercises.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 14, 2026

Rather than actively chasing prey, the snake may have relied on ambush tactics, remaining concealed until another animal came within striking distance.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 14, 2026

The PSFs had switched over to outright scare tactics years ago, but there was a time when all of their questioning had been done in soft voices.

From "The Darkest Minds" by Alexandra Bracken

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