strategic

American  

[struh-tee-jik] / strəˈti dʒɪk /

Sometimes strategical

adjective

1. pertaining to, characterized by, or of the nature of strategy.

   strategic movements.

2. important in or essential to strategy.

   Synonyms:

   principal, key, crucial, critical, opportune

3. (of an action, as a military operation or a move in a game) forming an integral part of a stratagem.

   a strategic move in a game of chess.

4. Military.

   1. intended to render the enemy incapable of making war, as by the destruction of materials, factories, etc..

      a strategic bombing mission.

   2. (of a weapon) long range, as an intercontinental ballistic missile.

      Strategic nuclear weapons were the linchpin of the Mutual Assured Destruction doctrine at the height of the Cold War.

   3. essential to the conduct of a war.

      Copper is a strategic material.

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strategic British  

/ strəˈtiːdʒɪk /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of strategy

2. important to a strategy or to strategy in general

3. (of weapons, attacks, etc) directed against an enemy's homeland rather than used on a battlefield

   a strategic missile

   strategic bombing

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Other Word Forms

• nonstrategic adjective
• nonstrategical adjective
• strategically adverb
• unstrategic adjective
• unstrategical adjective

Etymology

Origin of strategic

First recorded in 1815–25; from Greek stratēgikós, equivalent to stratēg(ós) “general” ( strategy ) + -ikos -ic

Example Sentences

“We are not moving away from making plant-based meat. This is a strategic expansion of our portfolio into additional protein categories,” Beyond spokesperson Shira Zackai said in an email.

From Los Angeles Times

Market observers warn that even releasing strategic reserves would provide only short-term relief.

From The Wall Street Journal

In December, the company outlined a new strategic plan for the period through 2028, aimed at building on the improvements since the previous growth plan.

From The Wall Street Journal

Neither side has achieved its strategic objectives so far, and both boast that they can outlast the other.

From The Wall Street Journal

“We are prepared to take all necessary measures, including drawing on strategic stock reserves, in order to stabilize the market,” French Finance Minister Roland Lescure told reporters after the meeting.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• critical
• important
• key
• vital