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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.

The agreement was “the right structure at the right time,” Intel Chief Financial Officer David Zinsner said, adding that the company now has a stronger balanced sheet and an evolved corporate strategy.

From The Wall Street Journal

Friend said Nike had expanded the strategy to 100 more stores across China.

From The Wall Street Journal

Reflecting on Tuesday's match, Esposito added: "From a technical standpoint, everything went wrong. The team hasn't worked together enough. Rebuilding will require a long-term strategy, chasing immediate wins with rushed decisions won't succeed."

From BBC

Looking ahead: “February’s numbers got a lift from tax refunds, so the consumer was healthy going into the oil spike,” said David Russell, global head of market strategy at TradeStation.

From MarketWatch

By understanding how cancer cells use this system differently from normal cells, scientists may be able to develop new strategies to slow or stop their spread.

From Science Daily