tactical

adjective

ˈtak-ti-kəl How to pronounce tactical (audio)
Definition of tacticalnext
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as in prudent
suitable for bringing about a desired result under the circumstances made the tactical move of becoming friendly with the journalism teacher, hoping that this would get him appointed editor of the school newspaper

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of tactical While the new head coach encourages his side to press higher and more aggressively, Andre is the man who retains the tactical discipline to ensure the centre of midfield is never left unattended. — Steve Madeley, The Athletic, 23 Feb. 2025 Quantico is also home to the Critical Incident Response Group, which includes behavioral analysts, tactical teams, hostage negotiators and preparing agents for going undercover. — Adam Goldman, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2025 Vitello most recently was the assistant director for firearms and tactical programs before being tapped as the acting director. — Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 22 Feb. 2025 Thermal Master Since this is a scope designed for hunters, the image interface includes eight tactical reticle modes with five colors for aiming a rifle, bow, crossbow, or other device. — David Szondy, New Atlas, 18 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for tactical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tactical
  1. prudent
  2. desirable
  3. wise
  4. possible
  5. politic
Adjective
  • Retirees don’t have as much time to recover their losses, so accumulating precious metals like gold and silver can be a prudent move.
    — Marc Guberti, Sacramento Bee, 26 Feb. 2025
  • Indeed, its tonal balance feels of a piece with the playwright’s personality—erudition and prudent attention to identity and representation leavened with irreverent nods to his throat chakra, The Artist’s Way, and teen soaps on The WB.
    — Marley Marius, Vogue, 25 Feb. 2025
Definition of prudent
Adjective
  • The idea that tax regimes in certain markets make teams more or less desirable to players was raised more than once.
    — James Mirtle, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025
  • He isn’t expected to be at training camp with Los Angeles but rather a different team when a desirable trade package is presented.
    — Scott Thompson, Fox News, 25 Feb. 2025
Definition of desirable
Adjective
  • Plunkett is not the first critic to trouble the popular conception of Frost as a wise woodsman dispensing comfort and inspiration.
    — Maggie Doherty, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2025
  • The decision to put Kreider in over Kyle Connor, who has 30 goals this year, did not end up looking like a wise one.
    — Arthur Staple, The Athletic, 24 Feb. 2025
Definition of wise
Adjective
  • Early work: The plan going in was to get Wiggins, making just his third Heat appearance, as acclimated as possible.
    — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 22 Feb. 2025
  • And the sonic design just, like, blows your head apart, as if to say this is the scariest part of the possible sequence — just the uncertainty of what’s happening.
    — Michaela Zee, Variety, 22 Feb. 2025
Definition of possible
Adjective
  • Yet, while activist evangelical women worked with these groups, Schlafly’s Catholicism limited her ability to reach evangelicals who were more ambivalent about politic involvement.
    — Emily Suzanne Johnson / Made By History, TIME, 3 June 2024
  • That doesn’t always gel with the sardonic remove the writers built into their material, nor the show’s prescient awareness of the sardonic tango of showbiz and politic power, personal branding and the possibility for genuinely populist adoration by those craving relief from being ignored.
    — Chris Jones, chicagotribune.com, 4 Feb. 2022
Definition of politic

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Cite this Entry

“Tactical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tactical. Accessed 7 Mar. 2025.

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