strategic
/strəˈtiː.dʒɪk/- 1.
Relating to a careful, long-term plan designed to reach an important goal. Something strategic is not just planned — it is meant to give you an advantage or move you closer to a big objective.
- Hiring experienced engineers was a strategic move for the startup.
- The CEO outlined the company's strategic priorities for the year.
- She made a strategic choice to build her network early in her career.
- 2.
Positioned or used in a way that gives a key advantage, especially in military, competitive, or business situations. A strategic location or asset is one that holds special importance because of what it controls or enables.
- The port was a strategic asset for controlling trade routes.
- They placed ads in strategic locations across the city.
Adinary Nuance
Strategic is often confused with tactical and deliberate, but they are not the same. "Strategic" is about the big picture — a long-term plan aimed at a major goal or competitive advantage. "Tactical" refers to the specific, short-term moves made within that larger strategy; you can have a tactical error inside an otherwise sound strategic plan. "Deliberate" simply means intentional, with no implication of advantage or systems thinking. "Calculated" is closer to "strategic" in feel, but it emphasizes cold, careful reasoning rather than goal-oriented positioning — and it can carry a slightly manipulative tone in informal use. In business writing, "strategic" is the preferred formal choice when you want to signal that a decision is purposeful and tied to a larger competitive aim.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- chiến lược
- Spanish
- estratégico
- Chinese
- 战略
- Japanese
- 戦略的
- Korean
- 전략적
Etymology
From Greek "strategia," meaning the art of being a general, through Latin "strategicus." The word entered English in the early 19th century in military contexts and later spread widely into business and everyday language.
Common phrases
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between 'strategic' and 'tactical'?
- 'Strategic' refers to the big-picture, long-term plan aimed at a major goal. 'Tactical' refers to the specific, short-term actions you take to carry out that strategy. A company may have a strategic goal to enter a new market, and their tactical steps include pricing decisions and ad placements.
- Is 'strategic' a formal word? Can I use it in everyday speech?
- 'Strategic' is moderately formal and fits naturally in business, professional, and academic writing. Native speakers also use it in casual conversation, especially in professional settings — saying 'that was a strategic choice' sounds natural and clear in most contexts.
- Can I say a person is 'strategic'?
- Yes. Describing a person as 'strategic' means they think carefully about long-term goals and position themselves or their decisions to gain an advantage. It is generally a positive compliment in business and professional environments.
- Is 'strategic' overused in business writing?
- Yes, it is one of the most overused words in corporate communication. When every decision is called 'strategic,' the word loses impact. Use it specifically for decisions that are genuinely tied to long-term goals or competitive positioning, and avoid attaching it to routine tasks.