Expand your strategy vocabulary from real-time strategy and 4X empire-building games with alliances, campaigns, and troop battalions.
Free Gaming: Strategy vocabulary flashcards at the B1 level — all 35 words with definitions and examples. Study them with spaced repetition and recognize and use these words confidently in real conversations.
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alliance
a formal agreement between two or more groups to work together toward a shared goal
attrition
a process of gradually weakening an enemy by constant pressure and small losses
barracks
a building or group of buildings where soldiers are housed and trained
battalion
a large group of soldiers, usually several hundred, forming part of a larger force
blockade
an action that prevents goods or people from entering or leaving a place
campaign
a series of military operations planned and carried out to achieve a specific goal
conquer
to successfully take control of a territory by defeating the forces defending it
counter
to take action that reduces or defeats the effect of an enemy move
courier
a person who carries messages or supplies quickly between distant locations
diplomacy
the practice of managing relationships and disputes between states through negotiation
dominate
to have power and control over a place, group, or situation
eliminate
to completely remove or defeat an opponent so they can no longer pose a threat
envoy
a person sent by a government as a messenger or representative to another state
expand
to grow larger by gaining more territory, resources, or followers
flank
the side of a military formation or battlefield, which is often vulnerable to attack
fortify
to strengthen a place by adding walls, defences, or extra troops to make it harder to attack
garrison
a body of troops stationed in a place to defend it and maintain control
guerrilla
relating to fighting by small independent groups who use surprise and mobility against a larger force
harvest
to gather crops or other resources that have been grown or accumulated over time
intercept
to stop or catch something or someone that is moving from one place to another
logistics
the organisation and planning needed to move troops, supplies, and equipment effectively
maneuver
a planned movement of troops or vehicles to gain a tactical advantage
mobilise
to prepare and organise people and resources, especially for war or a major effort
negotiate
to discuss terms with an opposing party in order to reach an agreement
occupy
to take control of a place by moving into it with military force
outpost
a small military camp or position set up away from the main force to watch the enemy
overwhelm
to defeat completely by having far superior numbers or strength
reinforce
to send extra troops or supplies to strengthen a position or force already in place
sabotage
to deliberately damage or destroy something in order to weaken an enemy
skirmish
a brief and minor fight between small groups, usually at the edge of a larger conflict
surrender
to stop fighting and accept defeat by yielding to the opposing force
tactical
relating to careful planning and specific actions designed to achieve a short-term goal in battle
terrain
the physical features of an area of land, such as hills, rivers, and forests
undermine
to weaken or damage something gradually, especially by working secretly against it
coordinate
to organise different groups or activities so they work together effectively toward the same goal