strategize

American  

[strat-i-jahyz] / ˈstræt ɪˌdʒaɪz /

especially British, strategise

verb (used without object)

strategized, strategizing

1. to make up or determine strategy; plan.

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Usage

What does strategize mean? To strategize is to plan or create a plan or strategy for a specific reason or goal. A strategy is a plan for a course of action, especially one that prepares for multiple scenarios or situations. Strategize is commonly used in any context that involves extensive planning, especially the military, business, politics, and sports. Example: One candidate had clearly strategized before the debate and knew how to answer every question and respond to every attack. The other candidate was obviously winging it.

Etymology

Origin of strategize

First recorded in 1970–75; strateg(y) + -ize

Explanation

When you work on a plan with the aim of achieving a goal, you strategize. If you don't strategize before the big debate, you'll probably be unprepared and unconvincing. You and your sister should strategize before presenting your proposal for higher allowances to your mom. That means you'll come up with a game plan to achieve your goal: convincing her that ten dollars a week makes sense. Chess players strategize too, studying the board for possible moves and planning ahead to ultimately put their opponent's king in check mate. Strategize and strategy were first used as military terminology, from a root meaning "military commander."

Example Sentences

Stolz, who did not have an American teammate in the final to help him strategize, said the rest of the pack was reluctant to make a move on the leaders.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 21, 2026

His law firm had invented “Mass Torts Made Perfect” and ran it as a conference for elite plaintiffs’ attorneys nationwide to rub elbows and strategize, making him the unofficial president of the polo club posse.

From Slate • Jan. 13, 2026

Steeped in risk analysis and game theory, they strategize every possible scenario, promising that no matter what happens, we’ll be all right.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 30, 2025

A new levies strategy from the U.S. government may create a new set of challenges for companies—and spur more costly legal bills as businesses strategize around new tariff authorities.

From Barron's • Dec. 22, 2025

Makes it easier for him to manipulate, strategize, get special favors.

From "Black Brother, Black Brother" by Jewell Parker Rhodes