tactical

[tak-ti-kuh l] /ˈtæk tɪ kəl/

adjective

of or pertaining to tactics, especially military or naval tactics.

characterized by skillful tactics or adroit maneuvering or procedure:

tactical movements.

of or pertaining to a maneuver or plan of action designed as an expedient toward gaining a desired end or temporary advantage.

expedient; calculated.

prudent; politic.

Origin

1560-70; tactic + -al¹

Related forms

tactically, adverb

nontactical, adjective

nontactically, adverb

untactical, adjective

untactically, adverb

Examples from the web for tactical

They can goad us into tactical errors and strategic blunders.
As well as these tactical benefits, suicide terrorism offers a strategic one.
But although robots have clear tactical advantages, they carry a heavy strategic price.
These tactical nuclear weapons are much more dangerous than strategic ones since they are more likely to be used.
Such tactical advances are being joined by a more strategic use of ethnography.
Given that human society is complex, it's not clear that tactical efficacy implies strategic efficacy.
He is a deliberate strategic thinker-ham-fisted at times, but also capable of tactical brilliance.
But this is tactical, rather than strategic, bullishness.
But when you're tactical as well as tactful, you can often do your best teaching.
Her parliamentary colleagues are questioning her tactical skills.

British Dictionary definitions for tactical

/ˈtæktɪkəl/

adjective

of, relating to, or employing tactics: a tactical error

(of weapons, attacks, etc) used in or supporting limited military operations: a tactical missile, tactical bombing

skilful or diplomatic: a tactical manoeuvre

Derived Forms

tactically, adverb

Word Origin and History for tactical

adj.

1560s, from Modern Latin tactica (see tactics); in reference to nuclear weapons (opposed to strategic) it is recorded from 1957. Related: Tactically.