tactical
Americanadjective
-
of or relating to tactics, especially the placement of military or naval forces in battle or at the front line of a battle.
-
characterized by skillful tactics or adroit maneuvering or procedure, especially of military or naval forces.
tactical movements.
-
(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.
-
of or relating to a maneuver or plan of action designed as an expedient toward gaining a desired end or temporary advantage.
-
expedient; calculated.
-
prudent; politic.
adjective
-
of, relating to, or employing tactics
a tactical error
-
(of weapons, attacks, etc) used in or supporting limited military operations
a tactical missile
tactical bombing
-
skilful or diplomatic
a tactical manoeuvre
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of tactical
Explanation
A tactical move on the military's part is one that is carefully planned and often small in scale, but important in getting control of an area. Tactical comes from the Greek taktike techne meaning "art of arrangement." When something is tactical, it is artfully arranged, or planned. This most often refers to military or naval operations, but it doesn't have to. When someone does something with a goal that is beyond the immediate result of his action, that can be seen as a tactical move. For example, renovating your kitchen might be a tactical move if you're planning to eventually sell your house and want to increase its property value.
Vocabulary lists containing tactical
Ender's Game
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Look Both Ways
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
"Principles of Business," Vocabulary from Chapter 7
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
Civil rights activists understood this and used it for tactical and strategic leverage.
From Salon • May 5, 2026
Framed as a humanitarian mission to help ships and starving crews locked up in the Strait against their will, this was also a tactical move to break the Iranian blockade and restore energy flows.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 4, 2026
I am so eager to see our newspaper used in a tactical, whimsical way — a reuse option that’s been there all along.
From Los Angeles Times • May 3, 2026
"With profound sorrow, we must assume political responsibility for this tactical error, which has no justification whatsoever," the statement read.
From Barron's • Apr. 29, 2026
“Hello! Hello!” he said, gliding into the kitchen, tall and tanned and tactical.
From "Americanah" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
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.
