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.
As a result, Russia has increasingly turned to loitering munitions in its strategic bombing campaigns. Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025 Getty Images British oil giant BP on Tuesday posted slightly weaker-than-expected first-quarter net profit, following a recent strategic reset and a slump in crude prices. Sam Meredith, CNBC, 29 Apr. 2025 Fabien Westerhoff will take on the executive role of Managing Director of the theatrical film division bringing together the complementary strengths of both companies, with a strategic market focus on animation, family entertainment, and genre cinema. Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 29 Apr. 2025 Westerhoff takes an executive role as managing director of the theatrical film division bringing together the strengths of both companies with a strategic market focus on animation, family entertainment, and genre cinema. Leo Barraclough, Variety, 29 Apr. 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Strategic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/strategic. Accessed 2 May. 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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