strategic

adjective

Definition of strategicnext
as in key
of great importance especially to the future or outcome of something This is a strategic goal that could make or break the company.

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of strategic For management teams trying to execute multiyear change, that exposure can narrow the strategic aperture. — Jeff Jacobs, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026 Furthermore, the council’s 2022-25 strategic plan talks explicitly about protecting ballot measure votes on issues that have to do with wildlife management. — Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 15 Oct. 2026 Relations have improved in recent years thanks in large part to China’s strategic competition with the US, and as Beijing looks to manage Pyongyang’s growing ties to Moscow. — semafor.com, 15 Oct. 2026 The company recently entered a strategic partnership with Allnet. — Deena Zaidi, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for strategic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strategic
  1. key
  2. crucial
  3. critical
  4. decisive
  5. major
  6. pivotal
  7. meaningful
Adjective
  • Trump criticized Israel's decision to attack a key Iranian gas field in the first weeks of the war.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026
  • These tools are primarily used by those who make less than $50,000 according to a 2022 Government Accountability Office report, with food and rent being the key reasons people use the service, one case study of food and restaurant workers found.
    — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of key
Adjective
  • Engineers at an Ontario nuclear power station have reached a major milestone in rebuilding a reactor core, finishing a crucial stage almost a month ahead of schedule.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026
  • But this campaign of attacks deep inside enemy territory has given Ukraine crucial leverage, sparking a major fuel crisis inside Russia.
    — Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of crucial
Adjective
  • The critical need for a crisis communications plan, regardless of the size of your business.
    — Janelle Ash , Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026
  • If a critical variable exceeds an allowable limit, the safety function overrides the control system regardless of why the controller made its decision.
    — Gregory Shahnovsky, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of critical
Adjective
  • If Bass’ vow to rule the same as before represents a decisive leader, more and more Angelenos seem to be saying, give us the Raman flood.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
  • By afternoon, the Moon trines Mars and your mind gets sharper and more decisive.
    — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of decisive
Adjective
  • Despite the hefty reservation payments, the Roadster is unlikely to become a major revenue source for Tesla.
    — Bilin Lin, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Her Instagram long-form project Excellences & Perfections, from 2014, however, was major cringe.
    — Eugenie Brinkema, ARTnews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of major
Adjective
  • Castillo flashed a big smile Friday after playing a pivotal role in Yorkville’s 21-7 win at home over Oswego East.
    — Rick Armstrong, Chicago Tribune, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Tagovailoa threw the game-ending interception, leaving Penix’s status for a pivotal Week 6 meeting with the Chicago Bears uncertain.
    — Chantz Martin OutKick, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of pivotal
Adjective
  • Reintroducing Collection was a significant milestone for Calvin Klein, and Veronica’s exceptional talent and fresh perspective on Calvin’s iconic design codes helped build meaningful momentum for Collection.
    — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026
  • It is earned through consistent actions, meaningful relationships and genuine human connection.
    — Kate Barton, Fortune, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of meaningful

Browse Nearby Words

stratagems
strategic
strategies
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Strategic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strategic. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of jilt

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All