tactical

adjective

ˈtak-ti-kəl How to pronounce tactical (audio)
Definition of tacticalnext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 The vehicle will also carry five Universal Battery Chargers and two AN/VRC-158 tactical radios. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 18 Aug. 2026 Weighted vests have moved from niche tactical gear to a mainstream wellness trend, with midlife adults strapping them on for walks, errands and chores in the name of bone health. — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 18 Aug. 2026 On June 25, 2025, Arnold was the man CPD officers on a tactical team, including Officer Rivera, confronted in the 8200 block of South Drexel Avenue while trying to conduct an investigatory stop. — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026 Business and regional commuters are looking for tactical flexibility. — Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tactical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tactical
  1. prudent
  2. desirable
  3. wise
  4. possible
  5. politic
Adjective
  • The suit maintains that the commission’s denial does not identify any adverse impact to a wetland function or value, nor any feasible and prudent alternatives to address the Commission’s reasons for denial, in violation of state law, Conn.
    — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2026
  • But the Court requires only four Justices to grant a case, and Brett Kavanaugh, whom Roberts had hoped would back his strategy of prudent avoidance, wouldn’t go along.
    — Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of prudent
Adjective
  • Ferrari can remain one of the most desirable brands in the world even as the stock falls because its valuation has outpaced what the business can realistically deliver.
    — Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Follow aeration by overseeding the lawn, as this will thicken the lawn canopy with desirable grass species.
    — Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of desirable
Adjective
  • These cities make sense 🧳 ➤ Shedeur Sanders is wiser in Year 2 of Browns QB competition.
    — Jim Reineking, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026
  • In addition to playing in a more social and less competitive (skill-wise) genre, Jackbox is offering lower-spec games than its AAA competition.
    — Jennifer Maas, Variety, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of wise
Adjective
  • Muso’s model of proactive community healthcare is showing what becomes possible when care moves closer to families.
    — Big Think, Big Think, 18 Aug. 2026
  • One possible trigger for bitcoin to break out of its unusually calm trading range could come from the bond market.
    — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of possible
Adjective
  • Coaxing out his talents fell to a more politic peer.
    — Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 22 June 2026
  • What’s depicted focuses on the advances these early feminists made at the school and in society, and the personal tensions between the relentlessly radical Marks and the more politic Woolley.
    — Manuel Mendoza, Dallas Morning News, 19 Feb. 2026
Definition of politic

Browse Nearby Words

tactic
tactical
tactics
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tactical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tactical. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on tactical

Nglish: Translation of tactical for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of august

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All