Master advanced strategy vocabulary — stockpiles, chokepoints, stratagems — for describing siege, diplomacy, and command with precision.
Free Gaming: Strategy vocabulary flashcards at the C1 level — all 35 words with definitions and examples. Study them with spaced repetition and use these words precisely, including nuance most learners miss.
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stockpile
a large stored supply of food, weapons, and other materials kept for future use
foothold
a secure position from which further progress can be made
vanguard
the foremost part of an advancing army, leading the way into new territory
salient
a part of a battle line that projects forward into enemy-held territory
rampart
a wide bank of earth built around a fort as a defence against attack
chokepoint
a narrow route where movement can be easily blocked and controlled
armistice
a formal agreement between enemies to stop fighting
brinkmanship
the practice of pushing a dangerous situation to the edge of disaster to force an opponent to back down
ultimatum
a final demand that, if rejected, will lead to serious consequences
stalemate
a situation in which neither side can gain further ground against the other
containment
the act of preventing an enemy's power from spreading further
escalation
a rapid increase in the intensity of a conflict
entrenchment
the act of digging in and building strong defensive positions
requisition
a formal official demand for supplies and equipment
contingency
a possible future event that must be planned for in advance
stratagem
a cunning plan used to gain an advantage over an opponent
subterfuge
the use of secretive and deceptive behaviour to achieve a hidden goal
pincer movement
a tactic in which two forces attack an enemy from both sides at once
buffer zone
an area deliberately kept empty and neutral to separate two hostile forces
morale
the level of confidence and enthusiasm felt by a group of people
momentum
the strength a course of action gains as it continues to develop
foresight
the ability to predict and prepare for problems that have not yet happened
reprisal
a harmful act carried out in return for an earlier attack by an enemy
commandeer
to take possession of something by force, especially for military use
consolidate
to make an existing position of power stronger and more secure
exploit
to make full use of an enemy's weakness for one's own benefit
outmaneuver
to defeat an opponent by using clever and skilful movement rather than force
deploy
to move troops into position and ready them for action
withdraw
to formally pull troops back from a position during a battle
regroup
to gather scattered forces together again after a setback
replenish
to fill up a supply again after it has been used
thwart
to prevent someone from succeeding in a planned action
precarious
not safely held in place and likely to fail without careful handling
protracted
lasting for a very long time, often longer than expected
decisive
settling an outcome completely and without any doubt