strategic

[ struh-tee-jik ]

adjective

1. pertaining to, characterized by, or of the nature of strategy:

   strategic movements.

2. important in or essential to strategy.

   Synonyms: principal, key, crucial, critical, opportune

3. (of an action, as a military operation or a move in a game) forming an integral part of a stratagem:

   a strategic move in a game of chess.

4. Military.
   1. intended to render the enemy incapable of making war, as by the destruction of materials, factories, etc.:

      a strategic bombing mission.

   2. (of a weapon) long range, as an intercontinental ballistic missile: Compare tactical ( def 3 ).

      Strategic nuclear weapons were the linchpin of the Mutual Assured Destruction doctrine at the height of the Cold War.

   3. essential to the conduct of a war:

      Copper is a strategic material.

strategic

/ strəˈtiːdʒɪk /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of strategy
2. important to a strategy or to strategy in general
3. (of weapons, attacks, etc) directed against an enemy's homeland rather than used on a battlefield

   a strategic missile

   strategic bombing

Derived Forms

• straˈtegically, adverb

Other Words From

• stra·te·gi·cal·ly adverb
• non·stra·te·gic adjective
• non·stra·te·gi·cal adjective
• un·stra·te·gic adjective
• un·stra·te·gi·cal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of strategic¹

First recorded in 1815–25; from Greek stratēgikós, equivalent to stratēg(ós) “general” ( strategy ) + -ikos -ic

Example Sentences

And too much of a focus on numbers can obscure strategic truths.

From The Daily Beast

Those who have watched anti-gay groups closely suggest that there will be two major strategic shifts in their strategy.

From The Daily Beast

“It seems to me that the operative questions are political and strategic, not legal,” said the former administration official.

From The Daily Beast

After years of strategic drift, the U.S. military may finally have a path to maintain its edge over countries like China.

From The Daily Beast

Of course, every nuclear capable air force runs exercises to practice its so-called “strategic deterrence.”

From The Daily Beast

Hence the advantage lay with him, because he held a strategic position and could choose his own time.

From Project Gutenberg

From the very outset of his career in Spain he showed a lack of strategic insight and a want of rapidity of movement.

From Project Gutenberg

It also accentuated the position of many of the camps, centres of population, and strategic posts.

From Project Gutenberg

At Kotur he held a position of high strategic importance; and he commanded a considerable following, comprising some 2000 horse.

From Project Gutenberg

An important strategic point, it was hotly disputed throughout the war.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• critical
• important
• key
• vital