You use tactical to describe an action or plan which is intended to help someone achieve what they want in a particular situation.
It's not yet clear whether the Prime Minister's resignation offer is a serious one,or whether it's simply a tactical move.
The security forces had made a tactical withdrawal from the area.
Synonyms: strategic, politic, shrewd, smart More Synonyms of tactical
tactically (tæktɪkli)adverb [ADVERB after verb, oft ADVERB adjective]
The electorate is astute enough to vote tactically against the Government.
They were tactically superior too.
2. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
Tactical weapons or forces are those which a military leader can decide for themselves to use in a battle, rather than waiting for a decision by a political leader.
They refused to talk about their own strategy on tactical weapons.
...U.S. tactical air fighter squadrons.
tactical in British English
(ˈtæktɪkəl)
adjective
1.
of, relating to, or employing tactics
a tactical error
2.
(of weapons, attacks, etc) used in or supporting limited military operations
a tactical missile
tactical bombing
3.
skilful or diplomatic
a tactical manoeuvre
Derived forms
tactically (ˈtactically)
adverb
tactical in American English
(ˈtæktɪkəl)
adjective
1.
of or having to do with tactics, esp. in military or naval maneuvers
2.
characterized by or showing cleverness and skill in tactics
Derived forms
tactically (ˈtactically)
adverb
Examples of 'tactical' in a sentence
tactical
There are passengers who need to get off, but who have made an earlier tactical error.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Control of the crest gives its occupiers a tactical advantage over the surrounding battlefield, but also leaves them exposed.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Sometimes the only way to win is to make a tactical withdrawal.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
This data further supports the tactical advantage of not demanding a jury in a discrimination lawsuit.
Christianity Today (2000)
What he can certainly not afford is tactical errors.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
His haste to return before the spring would prove to be a serious tactical error.
Ben Macintyre JOSIAH THE GREAT: The True Story of The Man Who Would Be King (2004)
But the risk was seen as justifiable because of the tactical advantages it would bring.
Oliver Poole BLACK KNIGHTS: On the Bloody Road to Baghdad (2003)
And they made things worse with a hideous tactical error.
The Sun (2010)
My experience is that more and more complaints appear to be filed to gain a tactical advantage in court cases.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The bloke sanctioned the use of a fake blood capsule to gain a tactical advantage and then tried to cover it up.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
If American troops went into combat they could expect to use tactical nuclear weapons.
Mcinnes, Colin & Sheffield G.D (eds.) Warfare in the Twentieth Century (1988)
Our counsel is, make a tactical withdrawal.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The Socialists were committing a fatal tactical error.
Paul Preston The Spanish Civil War: Reaction, Revolution and Revenge
If this were a single incident, you could put it down to tactical errors.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
At that point, management has some tactical advantages over the union.
A Conceptual View of Human Resource Management: Strategic Objectives, Environments,Functions
But wait, is this a tactical error?
The Sun (2014)
At half-time we had to change things to try and give ourselves a tactical advantage.
The Sun (2014)
I think Wales have made a tactical error.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
You only have to look at people to know what they are thinking, which gives you a tactical advantage in contests and at work.
The Sun (2016)
So a death, yes, but also a tactical withdrawal.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Indeed his failure to do so is generally reckoned a tactical error that doomed the Army of the Indus to destruction.
James Fergusson KANDAHAR COCKNEY: A Tale of Two Worlds (2004)
In other languages
tactical
British English: tactical ADJECTIVE
You use tactical to describe an action or plan which is intended to help someone achieve what they want in a particular situation.
It's not yet clear whether his resignation offer is a serious one, or whether it's simply a tactical move.
American English: tactical
Brazilian Portuguese: tático
Chinese: 战术上的
European Spanish: táctico
French: tactique
German: taktisch
Italian: tattico
Japanese: 戦術的な
Korean: 작전상의
European Portuguese: tático
Latin American Spanish: táctico
All related terms of 'tactical'
tactical battle
A battle is a conflict in which different people or groups compete in order to achieve success or control.
tactical error
An error is something you have done which is considered to be incorrect or wrong , or which should not have been done.
tactical voting
Tactical voting is the act of voting for a particular person or political party in order to prevent someone else from winning , rather than because you support that person or party.
tactical advantage
An advantage is something that puts you in a better position than other people.
tactical discipline
Discipline is the quality of being able to behave and work in a controlled way which involves obeying particular rules or standards.
tactical intelligence
Intelligence is the quality of being intelligent or clever .
Chinese translation of 'tactical'
tactical
(ˈtæktɪkl)
adj
[move, withdrawal, error]策略的 (cèlüè de)
(Mil)
[weapons]战(戰)术(術)的 (zhànshù de)
[policy, bombing etc]战(戰)略的 (zhànlüè de)
tactical voting (Brit) 策略性投票 (cèlüèxìng tóupiào)
(adjective)
Definition
of or employing tactics
The security forces had made a tactical withdrawal from the area.
Synonyms
strategic
a strategic plan for reducing the rate of infant mortality
politic
shrewd
She's a shrewd businesswoman.
a shrewd guess
smart
He thinks he's much smarter than Sarah.
diplomatic
She is very direct. I tend to be more diplomatic.
clever
My father was very clever with his hands.
cunning
The artist's cunning use of light and shadow creates perspective.
skilful
his skilful use of light and shade
artful
the smiles and artifices of someone subtly artful
foxy
He had wary, foxy eyes.
adroit
She is a remarkably adroit politician.
Opposites
impolitic
,
blundering
,
clumsy
,
inept
,
gauche
Additional synonyms
in the sense of adroit
Definition
quick and skilful in how one behaves or thinks
She is a remarkably adroit politician.
Synonyms
skilful,
able,
skilled,
expert,
bright,
clever,
tasty (British, informal),
apt,
cunning,
ingenious,
adept,
deft,
nimble,
masterful,
proficient,
artful,
quick-witted,
dexterous,
neat
in the sense of artful
Definition
cunning
the smiles and artifices of someone subtly artful
Synonyms
cunning,
designing,
scheming,
sharp,
smart,
clever,
subtle,
intriguing,
tricky,
shrewd,
sly,
wily,
politic,
crafty,
foxy,
deceitful
in the sense of clever
Definition
skilful with one's hands
My father was very clever with his hands.
Synonyms
skilful,
able,
talented,
gifted,
capable,
inventive,
adroit,
dexterous
Synonyms of 'tactical'
tactical
Explore 'tactical' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of cunning
Definition
made with skill
The artist's cunning use of light and shadow creates perspective.