strategic

adjective

stra·​te·​gic strə-ˈtē-jik How to pronounce strategic (audio)
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 adjective
strategically 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In 1943: Allied forces, led by U.S. Gen. George S. Patton, successfully captured Palermo, the regional capital of Sicily and a strategic nexus for the Allied invasion of mainland Italy during World War II. Lorenzino Estrada, AZCentral.com, 23 July 2025 While production of next-generation electric vehicles was initially expected to begin in 2025, strategic delays and shifting priorities have pushed back the timelines and reshaped the company's EV roadmap. Stuart Dyos, The Tennessean, 23 July 2025 The leaders who win in this cycle will be the ones who choose calibration over chaos—and treat alignment as a strategic asset, not a soft initiative. Carrie Moore, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025 Democratic Governor Maura Healey and state officials confirmed the rescission, which left the state with only $8 million of the original award and prompted a strategic review of the multimodal infrastructure overhaul planned for Boston's Allston neighborhood. Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for strategic

Word History

First Known Use

1799, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of strategic was in 1799

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Cite this Entry

“Strategic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/strategic. Accessed 26 Jul. 2025.

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 adjective
strategically adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on strategic

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