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tactician

American  
[tak-tish-uhn] / tækˈtɪʃ ən /

noun

  1. a person who is adept in planning tactics.


Etymology

Origin of tactician

First recorded in 1790–1800; tactic + -ian

Compare meaning

How does tactician compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

Explanation

A tactician is someone good at planning tactics: the specific means of accomplishing goals. A strategy is an overall plan for accomplishing something. Tactics are the steps taken to carry out the strategy. If someone is skilled at coming up with tactics, they are a tactician. In a political campaign, a tactician helps with speeches and ads. In football, a tactician draws up plays. In war, a tactician figures out specific ways of carrying out the plans of the generals. A tactician knows how to get things done.

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Vocabulary lists containing tactician

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:

For the first time in a decade, the bald man on the touchline wasn’t Pep Guardiola, the Catalan tactician who had molded City into a juggernaut.

From The Wall Street Journal Aug. 24, 2026

His interest in Murashige, meanwhile, a real-life tactician fictionalized here as an under-the-gun leader presented with myriad problems, poses the question: Did Kurosawa make a film about directing films?

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 30, 2026

Friends, associates and former colleagues and bosses describe Michael as a sharp-elbowed negotiator and a tactician who can turn a mess into a lucrative payday.

From The Wall Street Journal Mar. 13, 2026

Hardie has a reputation as a high-grade tactician and shot maker, while McMillan and Lammie are credited with reinventing the role of a sweeper.

From BBC Feb. 20, 2026

Colonel Cathcart was indefatigable that way, an industrious, intense, dedicated military tactician who calculated day and night in the service of himself.

From "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller

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