STRATEGIC Synonyms: 52 Similar and Opposite Words

strategic

adjective

Definition of strategic

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.

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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 The stock has popped 48% year to date to outperform other software names due to its strategic investments into expanding its artificial intelligence capabilities and strong underlying fundamentals. — Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026 As part of their strategic partnership, Nissan and Honda will continue to explore other opportunities for collaboration across a range of areas, including zero-emissions and decreasing traffic fatalities. — ABC News, 31 Aug. 2026 In addition to serving as a midair refueling aircraft, the KC-46A can alternatively serve as a strategic military transport aircraft, carrying up to 65,000 pounds of cargo. — Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026 The encounter affirmed that things were falling into place, Lee said, adding that moments like that must be accompanied by deliberate and strategic work. — April Quevedo, jsonline.com, 29 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for strategic

Recent Examples of Synonyms for strategic

Adjective

The offence remains Toronto’s biggest liability, with key bats like Addison Barger done for the year and others struggling into September.

— Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Axel Springer is expanding in the Middle East, joining a growing number of Western publishers with an editorial presence in the region — and testing a key pillar of its editorial beliefs.

— Max Tani, semafor.com, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of key

Adjective

Many market participants believe these results will serve as a crucial bellwether to test whether the AI rally can sustain its momentum.

— , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Brown’s ability to hammer Husted on this issue is alarming Republican operatives, who see a Husted victory as crucial to holding a majority in the Senate.

— Dan Kaufman, New Yorker, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of crucial

Adjective

Engineers can develop critical reactor hardware internally while sourcing mature technologies elsewhere.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 2 Sep. 2026
The mere possibility of losing its critical space assets in a surprise attack could push the United States to use its forces early or to delegate launch authority in ways that raise the risk of an accident, to avoid the devastating consequences.

— Jeffrey Lewis, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of critical

Adjective

Alphabet’s stock is down more than 15% from its May peak, wiping out roughly $700 billion in value, as concerns rise over its mounting AI bills and failure to produce a decisive technological breakthrough.

— Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 27 Aug. 2026
There were shorter absences for core, ankle and adductor issues over the year, but a hamstring problem, which wiped out December and January, was the decisive blow.

— Beren Cross, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of decisive

Adjective

Iceland’s freezing temperatures typically last about five months of the year, but the government has chosen a balmy summer day for its pivotal national referendum.

— Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026
But Bama followed with a 38-3 quarterfinal flop to Indiana, erasing any momentum and placing DeBoer squarely under the microscope entering a pivotal third season.

— Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of pivotal

Adjective

That is meaningful for schools, considering that around 90% of the United States' 480,000 school buses run on diesel.

— Willa Rubin, NPR, 27 Aug. 2026
Yet meaningful, comprehensive control of AI both on the battlefield and off has languished, largely because trust between governments and understanding of the technology and its risks is lacking, Russell said.

— Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of meaningful

Browse Nearby Words

stratagems

strategic

strategies

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“Strategic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strategic. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of strategic

adjective

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