tactical
gb/tˈæktɪkəl/ us/tˈæktɪkəl/
B2
Inglés
~ 5400
Acepciones
0 acepciones
adjective
B2
property
1
carefully planned to gain advantage
used about a move or decision that is carefully planned to get an advantage or result, often in the short term
Patrón de uso:
a tactical [decision/move/choice/step]
Error frecuente:
Learners sometimes confuse 'tactical' (adjective) with 'tactic' or 'tactics' (nouns). For example, *'It was a good tactic decision'* is incorrect; it should be *'a good tactical decision'*. Another mistake is using 'tactical' when they simply mean 'practical' or 'useful'; 'tactical' implies planned action to gain an advantage.
Sinónimos
strategic (often suggests higher-level, long-term planning, while 'tactical' can focus more on specific, practical steps.)
|
calculated (emphasizes being carefully planned and thought through, sometimes with a slightly negative tone of being cold or manipulative.)
|
deliberate (stresses that something is not accidental but intentionally done after thinking about it.)
Antónimos
unplanned (describes actions done without prior thought or design, the opposite of a tactical, carefully prepared move.)
Colocaciones
tactical decision
|tactical move
|tactical advantage
|tactical error
|tactical retreat
|tactical voting
Temas
business
|politics
|communication
|work
Ejemplos
- The company made a tactical decision to cut prices before the holiday season.
- Her resignation was a tactical move to put pressure on the board.
- The candidate’s visit to the factory was a tactical attempt to win over undecided workers.
- Switching topics during the interview was a tactical choice to avoid the scandal.
- They launched the report on a Friday afternoon, a purely tactical timing.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- He made a tactical decision to speak last in the meeting.
- Sending the email early in the morning was a tactical move.
- The manager’s tactical change in the plan saved time.
- Her silence was tactical; she wanted the others to speak first.
- The party used social media in a tactical way during the election.
adjective
technical
C1
property
2
relating to battlefield-level operations
about detailed actions and plans in a battle or operation, not the big, long‑term plan of a war or campaign
Patrón de uso:
tactical [unit/operation/aircraft/support]
Error frecuente:
Learners may mix up 'tactical' and 'strategic' in military or security contexts. 'Tactical' describes local, short‑term actions (a tactical unit, tactical air support), while 'strategic' describes long‑term, high‑level goals (a strategic objective, strategic bombing).
Sinónimos
combat (as an adjective, focuses on fighting itself, while 'tactical' emphasizes planned maneuvers and methods in that fighting.)
|
operational (similar in talking about how actions are carried out, but 'operational' is broader and not always limited to combat situations.)
Antónimos
strategic (in military language, 'strategic' refers to high-level, long-range plans and objectives, in contrast to 'tactical', which is about local, shorter-term actions and maneuvers.)
Colocaciones
tactical air support
|tactical unit
|tactical operations
|tactical missile
|tactical commander
|tactical radio
Temas
military
|security
|law
|politics
Ejemplos
- The general requested tactical air support for the ground troops.
- Special forces carried out a tactical operation to rescue the hostages.
- They used tactical missiles designed for short‑range targets.
- Each tactical unit was given a separate objective in the city.
- The report analyzes the tactical failures that led to the defeat.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- The army sent a tactical unit into the area.
- They planned a tactical operation to take the bridge.
- Tactical air support helped the soldiers on the ground.
- The officer is responsible for tactical decisions in the field.
- These are tactical weapons, not long‑range weapons.
adjective
C1
property
3
designed for tough or combat use
used about clothing, tools, or gear that are made for soldiers, police, or other hard and dangerous work, or look like they are
Patrón de uso:
tactical [gear/boots/flashlight/vest]
Error frecuente:
Learners may think 'tactical' here always means the item is actually used by the army or police. In marketing, 'tactical' often means the product is designed to look or feel like professional gear, or is just very practical and durable.
Sinónimos
military-style (emphasizes the look or design inspired by the military; 'tactical' also implies practical, professional use.)
|
rugged (focuses on being strong and durable; 'tactical' adds the sense of being suitable for professional or combat situations.)
Antónimos
casual (describes everyday clothing or items meant for comfort or fashion, in contrast to functional, professional 'tactical' gear.)
Colocaciones
tactical gear
|tactical flashlight
|tactical boots
|tactical vest
|tactical knife
Temas
products
|military
|outdoors
|clothing
|work
Ejemplos
- He bought tactical boots designed for rough terrain and long patrols.
- The company sells tactical gear for police and security professionals.
- A small tactical flashlight was attached to the rifle.
- She wore a tactical vest with multiple pockets and clips.
- Many hikers now prefer tactical backpacks for their extra durability.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- He wears tactical boots even in the city.
- The store sells tactical gear for police officers.
- I bought a tactical flashlight for camping.
- Her tactical vest has many pockets for tools.
- These tactical pants are strong and have big pockets.
Gramática
Forma de diccionario
tactical
AFI
GB/tˈæktɪkəl/
US/tˈæktɪkəl/
Sílabas y acento
tac - tic - al (3 sílabas)
Stress on 1st syllable (tac)
Formas de la palabra
Adjective
- Base: tactical
Familia de palabras
Core family
tactic
noun B1
tactically
adverb C1
Related words
tactician
noun
Expresiones
tactical advantage
1/tˈæktɪkəl ædvˈæntɪd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
advantage from planned action
an advantage you get because you planned your actions or position very carefully
Ejemplos
- By responding quickly on social media, the campaign gained a tactical advantage over its rivals.
- Starting the negotiations early gave them a clear tactical advantage.
tactical air support
1/tˈæktɪkəl ˈɛɹ səpˈɔɹt/
fixed phrase
technical
air help for ground troops
help from aircraft, like bombs or missiles, that is used to support soldiers fighting on the ground in a certain place
Ejemplos
- The ground troops requested tactical air support before advancing.
- Bad weather made tactical air support impossible during the operation.
tactical decision
1/tˈæktɪkəl dɪsˈɪʒən/
fixed phrase
carefully planned short-term choice
a choice made after thinking carefully, to help meet a nearer goal or solve a present problem
Ejemplos
- The CEO called it a tactical decision to close the smaller office first.
- Hiring temporary staff was a tactical decision during the busy season.
tactical error
1/tˈæktɪkəl ˈɛɹɚ/
fixed phrase
mistake in planned tactics
a mistake in how someone plans or does a move or action to get an advantage
Ejemplos
- Attacking his opponent personally turned out to be a serious tactical error.
- The coach admitted that substituting the goalkeeper was a tactical error.
tactical flashlight
1/tˈæktɪkəl flˈæʃlˌaɪt/
fixed phrase
rugged professional-use flashlight
a strong, hard-to-break flashlight made for police, soldiers, or other heavy use
Ejemplos
- He keeps a tactical flashlight in his car for emergencies.
- The officer’s tactical flashlight is bright enough to light up an entire room.
tactical foul
1/tˈæktɪkəl fˈaʊl/
fixed phrase
planned foul to gain advantage
a foul in a sport that a player does on purpose to stop the other team or to gain an advantage
Ejemplos
- He took a tactical foul to stop the counterattack.
- The defender’s tactical foul earned him a yellow card but saved a likely goal.
tactical gear
1/tˈæktɪkəl ɡˈɪɹ/
fixed phrase
military-style equipment and clothing
clothes and tools that are made for soldiers, police, or other hard work, or look like they are
Ejemplos
- The shop sells tactical gear for law enforcement and security guards.
- He filled his closet with tactical gear, from vests to backpacks.
tactical move
1/tˈæktɪkəl mˈuv/
fixed phrase
planned action for advantage
an action that is planned in detail to get a certain benefit or reaction
Ejemplos
- Changing the topic was a tactical move to avoid further questions.
- Her sudden apology was a tactical move to calm the situation.
tactical nuclear weapon
1/tˈæktɪkəl nˈukliɚ wˈɛpən/
fixed phrase
technical
battlefield-use nuclear weapon
a nuclear weapon that is designed to be used in a local battle or small area, not over very long distances or whole countries
Ejemplos
- Analysts warned about the risks of using a tactical nuclear weapon in the conflict.
- The treaty focuses on strategic missiles and does not cover tactical nuclear weapons.
tactical retreat
1/tˈæktɪkəl ɹitɹˈit/
fixed phrase
planned withdrawal for advantage
a move back or step away that is planned to avoid a bigger problem or to return stronger later
Ejemplos
- The army made a tactical retreat to higher ground.
- Canceling the project was a tactical retreat, not a full surrender of the idea.
tactical unit
1/tˈæktɪkəl jˈunɪt/
fixed phrase
technical
specialized operational team
a group of soldiers or police who work together on special actions or operations
Ejemplos
- A tactical unit was sent to secure the building.
- The city created a new tactical unit to respond to high-risk incidents.
tactical voting
1/tˈæktɪkəl vˈoʊtɪŋ/
fixed phrase
voting to influence outcome
when people vote not for their favorite party or person but for another one, in order to stop someone else from winning or to change the result
Ejemplos
- There was a lot of tactical voting in the election to keep the far-right party out of power.
- Many voters used tactical voting, supporting the candidate most likely to defeat the incumbent.