strategic

Sometimes stra·te·gi·cal

[struh-tee-jik]

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.

strategic

/ 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

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of strategic¹

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

Example Sentences

The embrace followed the signing of a "strategic mutual defence agreement", bringing the Islamic world's only nuclear-armed state closer to the Gulf's most ambitious monarchy.

From BBC

Wedding planner and events consultant Molly Happer said couples were becoming more strategic when planning their big day.

From BBC

In a strategic shift, Porsche said an upcoming line of sport utility vehicles, originally planned as fully electric, will now launch exclusively with combustion engines and plug-in hybrid options.

From BBC

Described as a "strategic partnership" by Nvidia, it is the latest move by two high profile tech firms in the global AI race, where China is an emerging rival.

From BBC

"When travel is required to support strategic growth, all individuals must adhere to the group's travel policy, which has clear rules on appropriate class of travel," it added.

From BBC

Related Words

• critical 
• important 
• key 
• vital