tactical
adjective
tac·ti·cal
ˈtak-ti-kəl 
1
: of or relating to combat tactics: such as
a(1)
: of or occurring at the battlefront
a tactical defense
a tactical first strike
(2)
: using or being weapons or forces employed at the battlefront
tactical missiles
b
of an air force
: of, relating to, or designed for air attack in close support of friendly ground forces
2
a
: of or relating to tactics: such as
(1)
: of or relating to small-scale actions serving a larger purpose
(2)
: made or carried out with only a limited or immediate end in view
b
: adroit in planning or maneuvering to accomplish a purpose
Examples of tactical in a Sentence
They gained a tactical advantage by joining with one of their competitors.
He made a serious tactical error.
The planes provided tactical air support for the soldiers on the ground.
Recent Examples on the Web
Office tactical team deputies arrested a man Thursday afternoon following a brief standoff at a house in the Kendale Lakes neighborhood.
—
David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 17 July 2025
But the Trump administration sent officers from other agencies to Los Angeles, too, including the FBI and special tactical teams from the Department of Homeland Security not widely seen until now.
Democrats in California’s Legislature have proposed measures to unmask the federal agents.
—Calmatters, Mercury News, 17 July 2025
On Wednesday, multiple sheriff’s vehicles, including tactical teams, arrived at the home in the predawn hours, according to video posted on Facebook by the Valley Roadrunner, a weekly news publication.
—Kristina Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 July 2025
Players face tactical decisions under time pressure, with incorrect answers eliminating contestants and reducing the top prize.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for tactical
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David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 17 July 2025
But the Trump administration sent officers from other agencies to Los Angeles, too, including the FBI and special tactical teams from the Department of Homeland Security not widely seen until now.
Democrats in California’s Legislature have proposed measures to unmask the federal agents.
—Calmatters, Mercury News, 17 July 2025
On Wednesday, multiple sheriff’s vehicles, including tactical teams, arrived at the home in the predawn hours, according to video posted on Facebook by the Valley Roadrunner, a weekly news publication.
—Kristina Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 July 2025
Players face tactical decisions under time pressure, with incorrect answers eliminating contestants and reducing the top prize.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for tactical
Cite this Entry
“Tactical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tactical. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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