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tactical

tactical

293 5.8
Planned to gain an advantage in a particular situation
  • adjective
  • /ˈtæktɪkəl/
translation icon : táctico
  • Ultimately, the second strategy failed because it lacked a way to convert tactical gains into strategic victory.
  • tactical maneuvers
  • tactical weapons
  • tactical nuclear weapons

They did not praise him for tactical or strategic genius.

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Examples

  • Her tactical approach to negotiation helped secure a better deal.

  • We'll need special tactical equipment.

  • What is a better tactical way of moving toward that?

  • But the way things played out on the ground, no tactical information was shared.

  • I made a tactical decision to secure my own safety and ensure all yours.

  • So we have to learn to be more tactical and how we navigate the world.

  • It's an area of tremendous tactical importance.

  • Another is the importance of tactical digital command and control systems and the effective dissemination of tactical intelligence.

    Academic text (2015)
  • In India, where literacy training is provided, there exists a practical, tactical, and emancipatory emphasis.

    Academic text (2011)
  • The Jewish state has much to offer in the area of intelligence, as well as tactical and doctrinal counterterrorism.

    Academic text (2013)

Antonyms

527 3.4

Happening without a plan and by chance

7.0

In a way that has no clear order or plan

Compounds

tactical maneuver
  • Specialized
1 6.5

A planned move to gain an advantage, for example in chess or sport

tactical intelligence
  • Specialized
1 7.2

Information about an enemy or area used to plan quick military and security actions

8.6

A ship system that collects and shows military information to help crews make decisions

tactical warning
  • Specialized
7.4

An alert that tells soldiers about an enemy attack happening right now

How Tactical

tactical
293 5.8
improvised
1 4.6

Surface Forms

tactical positive

Morphology

tactical = tactic (transparent) = tactic + al

The adjective is formed regularly from 'tactic' with '-al' and clearly means 'relating to tactics' or 'done tactically.'

Etymology

The word tactical comes from the word tactic, which originally meant 'to arrange' or 'put in order' for military moves. So to be tactical is to make careful, planned moves to gain an advantage, like arranging pieces on a chessboard.