Synonyms of strategic
1
: of, relating to, or marked by strategy
a strategic retreat
2
a
: necessary to or important in the initiation, conduct, or completion of a strategic plan
The hill is located at a strategic position.
b
: required for the conduct of war and not available in adequate quantities domestically
strategic materials
c
: of great importance within an integrated whole or to a planned effect
emphasized strategic points
3
: designed or trained to strike an enemy at the sources of its military, economic, or political power
a strategic bomber

Examples of strategic in a Sentence

The bridges have great strategic value. The hill is located at a strategic position.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Production targets strategic capability Tim Cahill, president of Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, said the award demonstrates the company’s ability to move advanced systems into production quickly. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 28 Oct. 2026 Germany's military space command chief Major General Michael Traut admitted earlier this year that the Luch spacecraft have been spying on European strategic communications in space for years. — Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 27 Oct. 2026 Alison Novoa, public information officer and director of strategic initiatives at the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections Office, said voters there haven’t reported undue delays. — Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 27 Oct. 2026 The teachers union has embraced Proposition 3 as a more strategic alternative to Proposition 40, which a mid-September poll found has divided likely voters. — Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for strategic

Word History

First Known Use

1799, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of strategic was in 1799

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Strategic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/strategic. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

Kids Definition

strategic

adjective
1
: of, relating to, or showing strategy
strategic value of the position
a strategic retreat
2
a
: required for the conduct of war
strategic supplies
b
: of great importance within a whole or for a planned purpose
mentioned strategic points
3
: designed or trained to strike at what makes an enemy powerful
strategic bomber

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