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

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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

See Examples For:

strategize strategized strategizing

Aguirre will have to strategize with an eye toward what lies ahead in the next round, which is a single-elimination format.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 24, 2026

There, U.S. personnel from Central Command sit across from their Israeli counterparts and strategize.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 11, 2026

While Sally’s children turn Champ’s legal troubles into a cause célèbre on social media, Sally and Corinne strategize about how to clear the terrier’s name.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 20, 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

I figured I’d call my mother later at her office, telling her we’d need to strategize about how to force the man to take some time off.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama

Ariane strategized with Epstein on pushing back, and thrust the matter into public view by filing a lawsuit in 2015 to control using the name in finance.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 30, 2026

The files provide a rare window into how Epstein reacted and strategized in real time to the political and cultural earthquake of #MeToo.

From Salon ● Feb. 6, 2026

In a food truck, cooks strategized about the salads, fruit and pastas that could help cool down the musicians, writing warnings to “Hydrate!!!” and “Apply sunscreen!” next to the day’s menu on whiteboards.

From New York Times ● Jul. 1, 2023

It has strategized to reach the full political spectrum, said Nicolas Langlitz, a historian of science who’s researched the boom and bust of psychedelic movements.

From Seattle Times ● Jun. 21, 2023

Probably a person who led the chariots into battle or a person who strategized a war.

From "Our America: Life and Death on the South Side of Chicago" by LeAlan Jones

Plus, how home buyers are strategizing around the new normal of high mortgage rates.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 30, 2026

After all the strategizing and prognosticating, what no one can predict is which films will actually connect once audiences arrive.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 3, 2026

A change not only to when people can get 100% of the benefit they’re owed, but also to when they might be able to begin claiming, could make strategizing more complex.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 2, 2026

It serves as a reminder of the sheer amount of strategizing that organic marketing now demands.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 26, 2026

“Sadly, the bridge is already under insurgent control due to questionable strategizing by my bereft cohort.”

From "The Fault in Our Stars" by John Green

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