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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

A growing body of research, some of it conducted by Freyd and Sarah Harsey, another co-author of this column, has provided important insights into this tactic.

From Salon ● Oct. 26, 2026

I’m naturally skeptical and wondering whether this is a common scam or a bait-and-switch tactic.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 19, 2026

Loudspeaker broadcasts, a tactic that dates back to the Korean War, have previously prompted Pyongyang to threaten artillery strikes on Seoul's speaker units.

From Barron's ● Oct. 19, 2026

The scare tactic has helped reduce support for the repeal.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026

His adversaries guessed his tactic and hung around Santa Anita hour after hour on the following Monday.

From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand

That decision came after the Portugal midfielder questioned Carrick's tactics in Wednesday's 4-1 loss at Como in the Champions League.

From BBC ● Oct. 25, 2026

For more aggressive tactics, Amex has for years employed a team that scopes out potential abuse and claws back rewards—or axes accounts altogether.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 25, 2026

Polymarket parted ways with its chief marketing officer as the prediction-market operator scrutinizes its promotional tactics.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 23, 2026

“Voters are smarter than that. People in the coalition see these tactics and are tired of them too.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 23, 2026

“You are using prosecution tactics to confuse what is really a very simple situation.”

From "I, Robot" by Isaac Asimov

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Related Words

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