tactical

[tak-ti-kuhl]

adjective

1. of or relating to tactics, especially the placement of military or naval forces in battle or at the front line of a battle.

2. characterized by skillful tactics or adroit maneuvering or procedure, especially of military or naval forces.

   tactical movements.

3. (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.

4. of or relating to a maneuver or plan of action designed as an expedient toward gaining a desired end or temporary advantage.

5. expedient; calculated.

6. prudent; politic.

tactical

/ ˈtæktɪkəl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or employing tactics

   a tactical error

2. (of weapons, attacks, etc) used in or supporting limited military operations

   a tactical missile

   tactical bombing

3. skilful or diplomatic

   a tactical manoeuvre

Other Word Forms

• tactically adverb
• nontactical adjective
• nontactically adverb
• untactical adjective
• untactically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of tactical¹

First recorded in 1560–70; tactic + -al ¹

Example Sentences

Niger state police said its tactical units and the military were searching for the pupils.

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“Wicked” wasn’t just marketed; this was an all-out, pink and green tactical assault.

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So what are the tactical reasons for why it is going so wrong for Liverpool at the moment?

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Sacramento County sheriff’s officials said Dalmin Muran, 29, was arrested Nov. 11 on multiple weapons charges after investigators found a large cache of weapons at his home, along with law enforcement patches and tactical gear.

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The police said they had deployed "additional police tactical units, alongside military personnel and vigilante groups" to the area.

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Related Words

• diplomatic