Fabian strategy is a military strategy that seeks to buy time and wear down an enemy.

Fabian strategy is named after Quintus Fabius Maximus, the Roman consul given the thankless task of defeating the great general of Carthage, Hannibal, in southern Italy during the Second Punic War. Hannibal is mentioned in the company of history's great generals, but military professionals have bestowed Fabian's name on an entire strategic doctrine.

Fabius knew he lacked the men, the money, and the means, to destroy Hannibal's army, which could be endlessly re-supplied from North Africa. But he also figured out that Hannibal's strategic goal could only be achieved if Rome fell, and that Hannibal's extended supply lines, and the cost of maintaining the Carthaginian army in the field, meant that Rome had time on its side. Rather than fight, Fabius shadowed Hannibal's army and avoided battle. He used interior lines to ensure that at no time could Hannibal march on Rome without abandoning his Mediterranean ports, while at the same time inflicting constant, small, debilitating defeats on the North Africans.

The strategy was a military success, but a political failure. Fabius won no large-scale victories. So, the Roman senate removed him from command. Their choice of replacements led the Roman army into the rout at the Battle of Cannae.