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” ( see strategy) + -ikos -ic

Explanation

Desperate to trap Road Runner, Wile E. Coyote comes up with a strategic plan, meaning a plan designed to achieve a specific goal. Strategic is a military word, relating to the careful plotting and planning necessary to win battles. But you don't need to be a general to think strategically. If you recruit your friends to talk you up to the girl you have a crush on, you're taking a strategic approach to romance.

Example Sentences

Tessalit serves as a strategic base due to its geographical location and features a well-maintained airstrip capable of accommodating helicopters and other large military aircraft.

From Barron's • May 1, 2026

The company said its revenue growth was driven by higher Covid-19 vaccine sales, largely in international markets, from long-term strategic partnerships with certain governments.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 1, 2026

“Most observers would say that Spirit made a strategic blunder” in going that way, Britton said.

From MarketWatch • May 1, 2026

Rich Sarian, 38, was born and raised in Los Angeles and is vice president of strategic initiatives for downtown’s South Park Social District.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026

She felt them gathering their strength inside her, felt each passing second crystallize into a map of strategic striking points wrapping around Wick’s body.

From "Shadowshaper" by Daniel José Older

Related Words

• critical
• important
• key
• vital