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Synonyms

strategy

American  
[strat-i-jee] / ˈstræt ɪ dʒi /

noun

plural

strategies
  1. Also the science or art of combining and employing the means of war in planning and directing large military movements and operations.

  2. the use or an instance of using this science or art.

  3. skillful use of a stratagem.

    The salesperson's strategy was to seem always to agree with the customer.

  4. a plan, method, or series of maneuvers or stratagems for obtaining a specific goal or result.

    a strategy for getting ahead in the world.


strategy British  
/ ˈstrætɪdʒɪ /

noun

  1. the art or science of the planning and conduct of a war; generalship

  2. a particular long-term plan for success, esp in business or politics Compare tactics

  3. a plan or stratagem

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Usage

What is strategy? A strategy is a plan or method put in place to achieve a goal or result, as in Blanca’s strategy for passing the test was to study every night until test day.Strategy can refer to the use of tactics in the planning of military operations, usually to succeed in a battle or war. In a military context, a strategy can refer to an overall plan, a specific or broad goal, or the execution of said plan or goal.Strategy can also refer to the use of a strategy to meet a goal, as in The only way to win a war is with a solid strategy.Example: Their strategy was to distract the enemy and then sneak in from behind.

Related Words

In military usage, a distinction is made between strategy and tactics. Strategy is the utilization, during both peace and war, of all of a nation's forces, through large-scale, long-range planning and development, to ensure security or victory. Tactics deals with the use and deployment of troops in actual combat.

Other Word Forms

  • counterstrategy noun

Etymology

Origin of strategy

First recorded in 1680–90; from Greek stratēgía “generalship,” equivalent to stratēg(os) “military commander, general” ( strat(ós) “army” + -ēgos, noun derivative of ágein “to lead”) + -ia -y 3

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In a sense, Kirk has adopted a strategy used by pianists like Nat King Cole; when Cole plays the melody, or the “head” as musicians call it, he often phrases orchestrally, in rich block chords.

From The Wall Street Journal

“That would still be the case if there was some diminution in this number over time because of Google’s strategy,” they wrote.

From Barron's

“It’s just a deliberate strategy to strike precisely at the economic component, exports, and the country’s economy. Not only in ports, but throughout the country. It’s definitely more than just one region,” Vovk added.

From The Wall Street Journal

Government broadcaster China Central Television said the computer-based wargames were meant to demonstrate human-machine collaboration strategies, but they also showed Chinese “red” forces facing off against “blue” ships and aircraft around Cuba and Mexico.

From The Wall Street Journal

The team has previously developed a therapy aimed at reducing waist circumference and plans to evaluate how different treatment strategies might benefit this newly defined group.

From Science Daily