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strategy

[ strat-i-jee ]
/ ˈstræt ɪ dʒi /
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See synonyms for: strategy / strategies on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural strat·e·gies.
Also strategics. the science or art of combining and employing the means of war in planning and directing large military movements and operations.
the use or an instance of using this science or art.
skillful use of a stratagem: The salesperson's strategy was to seem always to agree with the customer.
a plan, method, or series of maneuvers or stratagems for obtaining a specific goal or result: a strategy for getting ahead in the world.
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Origin of strategy

1680–90; <Greek stratēgía generalship, equivalent to stratēg(ós) military commander, general (strat(ós) army + -ēgos noun derivative of ágein to lead) + -ia-y3

synonym study for strategy

1. 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 WORDS FROM strategy

coun·ter·strat·e·gy, noun, plural coun·ter·strat·e·gies.

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH strategy

1. stratagem, strategy 2. strategy , tactics (see synonym study at the current entry)
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

MORE ABOUT STRATEGY

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.

Where does strategy come from?

The first records of the term strategy come from the 1680s. It comes from the Greek stratēgía, meaning “military commander.”

A distinction is made between strategy and tactics in military usage.  A strategy is the long-term plan for using one’s military forces to win peace or maintain security, while tactics are the specific movement of troops and resources during a battle.

Business is another area in which strategy is commonly used. A company will have an overall strategy for growing sales and profits. Meanwhile, the different divisions within the company will have their own strategies for reaching their goals, which help the whole company reach its goals.

Anyone can create a strategy, however. When you create a strategy, you’re creating a plan for how to achieve a goal, including the steps and the resources you’ll need. For example, you might create a strategy to learn more about words by continuing to read word-related articles like this one!

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What are some other forms related to strategy?

What are some synonyms for strategy?

What are some words that share a root or word element with strategy

What are some words that often get used in discussing strategy?

What are some words strategy may be commonly confused with?

How is strategy used in real life?

Strategy is frequently used in the context of business, government, or public relations, but it’s also used in more casual conversations.

 

Try using strategy!

Which of the following is NOT a synonym for strategy?

A. plan
B. scheme
C. improvisation
D. design

How to use strategy in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for strategy

strategy
/ (ˈstrætɪdʒɪ) /

noun plural -gies
the art or science of the planning and conduct of a war; generalship
a particular long-term plan for success, esp in business or politicsCompare tactics (def. 2)
a plan or stratagem

Word Origin for strategy

C17: from French stratégie, from Greek stratēgia function of a general; see 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
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