tactic
noun
tactic
American
[tak-tik]
/ ˈtæk tɪk /
noun
-
tactics
plural
-
a system or a detail of tactics.
-
a plan, procedure, or expedient for promoting a desired end or result.
adjective
-tactic
1
British
combining form
tactic
2
British
/ ˈtæktɪk /
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
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
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!
Vocabulary lists containing tactic
100 Words Every Middle Schooler Should Know
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Essential Academic Vocabulary for Middle School Students, List 9
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Word Generation Social Studies - Ancient Civilizations of Egypt, Greece, Rome
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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.
See Examples For:
She recently bought a Mercedes for just over $100,000, which she said she only did as a marketing tactic.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 17, 2026
Citizens can petition leaders to avoid or drop contracts, a tactic that has been working across the country.
From Salon ● Aug. 14, 2026
But it remains to be seen if their interest in the former Liverpool defender is a tactic by the club in their pursuit of Quansah's England team-mate Konsa.
From BBC ● Aug. 14, 2026
The relocation campaign echoes a tactic employed by software giant Oracle Corp., co-founded by Ellison’s billionaire father, Larry Ellison.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 12, 2026
It’s a delaying tactic, the kind that juries love.
From "Speak" by Laurie Halse Anderson
Think these tools and tactics won’t be used domestically?
From Salon ● Aug. 17, 2026
As negotiating tactics go, it certainly undermines whatever public approval he hoped to gain with his “I’m just a guy, standing in front of the movie biz asking it to love me” bit.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 13, 2026
Taipei also accuses Beijing of using a range of "greyzone" methods -- tactics that fall short of an act of war -- including cyberattacks to harass the island.
From Barron's ● Aug. 13, 2026
A spirited, wonky discussion of cycling ethics and tactics?
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 10, 2026
He changed his tactics and went to sleep early, hoping that by that hour he might be sleeping lightly enough to wake at any noise.
From "The Golden Goblet" by Eloise Jarvis McGraw
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.
