strategic

adjective

stra·​te·​gic strə-ˈtē-jik How to pronounce strategic (audio)
Synonyms of strategicnext
1
: of, relating to, or marked by strategy
a strategic retreat
2
a
: necessary to or important in the initiation, conduct, or completion of a strategic plan
b
: required for the conduct of war and not available in adequate quantities domestically
strategic materials
c
: of great importance within an integrated whole or to a planned effect
emphasized strategic points
3
: designed or trained to strike an enemy at the sources of its military, economic, or political power
a strategic bomber
strategical
strə-ˈtē-ji-kəl How to pronounce strategic (audio)
adjective
strategically
strə-ˈtē-ji-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce strategic (audio)
adverb

Examples of strategic in a Sentence

The bridges have great strategic value. The hill is located at a strategic position.
Recent Examples on the Web By Jane Lanhee Lee / Bloomberg April 9, 2024 2:45 AM EDT The U.S. agency tasked with driving scientific research has launched a program to connect American startups with Taiwanese peers, backing the island’s ambitions to foster key players in strategic sectors like semiconductors, AI and beyond. —Jane Lanhee Lee / Bloomberg, TIME, 9 Apr. 2024 All that has materially changed since 2016 is China’s strategic extroversion and its tentative entry into the region, and that is insufficient justification. —Steven Simon, Foreign Affairs, 9 Apr. 2024 Roth will also develop programs for the Recording Academy’s Grammy Awards season sponsors and create the strategic planning and sales strategy for developing new business and revenue opportunities. —Paul Grein, Billboard, 9 Apr. 2024 Some of these other people don’t know how to play a strategic game of this. —Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 9 Apr. 2024 On April 5 Prime Video, which has made sports a top strategic priority, announced a multi-year extension with the WNBA, a deal that includes 21 games per season including the Championship Game of the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup. —Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Apr. 2024 Read More Trump’s falsehoods about mail voting have created a strategic disadvantage for Republicans, who must rely on Election Day turnout. —Jonathan Weisman, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2024 National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications John Kirby said that President Biden in his phone call Thursday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed Iranian threats to Israel. —David Martin, CBS News, 5 Apr. 2024 This strategic shift is marked by the pending sale of its electric boat rental operations in Newport Beach. —Kansas City Star, 3 Apr. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'strategic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1799, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of strategic was in 1799

Dictionary Entries Near strategic

strategian

strategic

strategics

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Strategic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/strategic. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.

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Kids Definition

strategic

adjective
stra·​te·​gic strə-ˈtē-jik How to pronounce strategic (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or showing strategy
strategic value of the position
a strategic retreat
2
a
: required for the conduct of war
strategic supplies
b
: of great importance within a whole or for a planned purpose
mentioned strategic points
3
: designed or trained to strike at what makes an enemy powerful
strategic bomber
strategical
-ji-kəl How to pronounce strategic (audio)
adjective
strategically
-ji-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce strategic (audio)
adverb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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