strategize
STRA-tuh-jyze
/ˈstræt.ə.dʒaɪz/
To devise a plan or strategy for achieving a specific goal, especially over a long period.
Strategize implies a high-level, comprehensive approach rather than just picking a single move.
The story behind the word. The word comes from the Greek 'strategos', which combined 'stratos' (army) and 'agein' (to lead). It originally described the high-level art of a general leading an entire army, distinguishing it from the work of lower-level officers.
Word relationships
- plan: Plan is more general; strategize implies a competitive or complex environment.
- formulate: Formulate focuses on the creation of the plan, while strategize focuses on the logic behind it.
- improvise: Improvising means acting without a plan, the opposite of strategizing.
Commonly confused with
- tactic: Strategize is the verb for the overall plan; a tactic is a specific action within that plan.
Word family
- strategy (noun): A plan of action designed to achieve a long-term or overall aim.
- strategic (adjective): Relating to the identification of long-term or overall aims and interests.
Collocations
- strategize effectively
- strategize for the future
- strategize a comeback
Example sentences
- "The coaching staff met for hours to strategize how to contain the league's leading scorer." General sports planning
- "It is time to strategize for the future of the company in a post-pandemic market." Business strategy
Memory hook
Think of a 'Strategy' for a 'Stage' performance—you need a big plan to make the whole show work. Leading the army from the top.
When not to use
Do not use for simple, immediate actions like 'strategizing' to pick up a pencil.
Fun facts
- The suffix '-ize' was added in the 20th century, making 'strategize' a relatively modern verb compared to the noun 'strategy'.
Related words
Explore more words
devise, conceptualize, strategic, outmaneuver, orchestrate, envision
Also appears in
Take your vocabulary further with LangBlitz
Our English vocabulary app: FSRS spaced repetition, 5,000+ curated words across 119 topic groups, CEFR A1 to C2. Explore your mastery with the beautiful Vocabulary World feature.