Skip to main content
tactically

tactically

15 6.8
In a way that uses careful plans to reach a goal
  • adverb
  • /ˈtæktɪkli/
translation icon : tácticamente
  • Yes, it's got plenty of tactically competent and physically heroic enlisted soldiers and low-ranking officers.
  • tactically sound

And while you want to fight for your child, you have to do it tactically.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • Ambiguity is tactically important as a way to avoid these kinds of problems.

    Academic text (2001)
  • Tactically, it's the logical choice.

  • Always be thinking tactically, okay?

  • Tactically, he has changed Iran's position from that of a defendant to that of a prosecutor.

    Academic text (2007)
  • Tactically, though, the decision to litigate against ordinary passengers was a misstep.

    Academic text (2008)
  • They work with the Italians and Albanians once in a while, but tactically, they are brilliant.

  • The general planned the attack tactically to ensure the best chance of success.

  • In business, negotiating tactically can help secure better deals.

  • The team approached the competition tactically, using each member's strengths effectively.

Antonyms

Doing things without careful choice or noticing differences

How Tactical

tactically
15 6.8
deliberately
320 3.7
haphazardly
9 6.1

Surface Forms

tactically positive

Morphology

tactically = tactical (transparent) = tactic + al + ly

Formed by the regular adverbial suffix '-ly' added to the adjective 'tactical' (itself from 'tactic' + '-al'), so the meaning is predictable.

Etymology

The word tactically comes from tactic, which goes back to an old Greek word taktikos meaning 'to arrange' or 'put in order'. So, to act tactically is to make careful, planned moves, like arranging pieces on a chessboard to reach a goal.