strict

American  

[strikt] / strɪkt /

adjective

• stricter,
  comparative
• strictest
  superlative

1. characterized by or acting in close conformity to requirements or principles.

   a strict observance of rituals.

   Synonyms:

   austere, harsh, illiberal, narrow

   Antonyms:

   lax, flexible

2. stringent or exacting in or in enforcing rules, requirements, obligations, etc..

   strict laws; a strict judge.

3. closely or rigorously enforced or maintained.

   strict silence.

4. exact or precise.

   a strict statement of facts.

   Synonyms:

   scrupulous, accurate

5. extremely defined or conservative; narrowly or carefully limited.

   a strict construction of the Constitution.

6. close, careful, or minute.

   a strict search.

7. absolute, perfect, or complete; utmost.

   told in strict confidence.

8. stern; severe; austere.

   strict parents.

9. Obsolete. drawn tight or close.

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strict British  

/ strɪkt /

adjective

1. adhering closely to specified rules, ordinances, etc

   a strict faith

2. complied with or enforced stringently; rigorous

   a strict code of conduct

3. severely correct in attention to rules of conduct or morality

   a strict teacher

4. (of a punishment, etc) harsh; severe

5. (prenominal) complete; absolute

   in strict secrecy

6. logic maths

   1. applying more narrowly than some other relation often given the same name, as strict inclusion, which holds only between pairs of sets that are distinct, while simple inclusion permits the case in which they are identical See also proper ordering

   2. distinguished from a relation of the same name that is not the subject of formal study

7. rare botany very straight, narrow, and upright

   strict panicles

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Synonym Usage

Strict, rigid, rigorous, stringent imply inflexibility, severity, and an exacting quality. Strict implies great exactness, especially in the observance or enforcement of rules: strict discipline. Rigid, literally stiff or unbending, applies to that which is (often unnecessarily or narrowly) inflexible: rigid economy. Rigorous, with the same literal meaning, applies to that which is severe, exacting, and uncompromising, especially in action or application: rigorous self-denial. Stringent applies to that which is vigorously exacting and severe: stringent measures to suppress disorder.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• strictness
  noun
• superstrictness
  noun
• unstrictness
  noun
• overstrict
  adjective
• superstrict
  adjective
• unstrict
  adjective
• strictly
  adverb
• superstrictly
  adverb
• unstrictly
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Adjectives

• stricter
  comparative
• strictest
  superlative

Etymology

Origin of strict

First recorded in 1570–80; from Latin strictus, equivalent to strig-, variant stem of stringere “to draw tight” + -tus past participle suffix

Explanation

Strict describes someone who sticks to a particular set of rules. If your math teacher is strict, it means that she expects her rules to be followed to the letter. The adjective strict always has to do with rules. Your strict parents enforced rules and expected you to obey them. Your cousin might be a strict vegetarian who always follows her own rules about what to eat. Strict laws demand to be followed, and a strict follower of the First Amendment supports free speech no matter what. The Latin root of strict is strictus, which means "drawn together, tight, or rigid." A rigid adherence to rules is exactly what makes someone strict.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

strict stricter strictest

“I understand that his grandmother was a teacher and wanted him to perform well in school, and she was quite strict and demanding,” Anutin said after being briefed by investigators.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 7, 2026

These are protected spaces designed to mirror real systems - but with strict guardrails in place.

From BBC ● Aug. 6, 2026

To help him qualify for Medicaid long-term care, you must demonstrate a medical need, meet Medicaid’s strict financial eligibility limits and satisfy the five-year financial look-back period.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 5, 2026

Indonesia is also buying more panels, though generous energy subsidies and a strict quota system give consumers little incentive to switch.

From Barron's ● Aug. 5, 2026

Because of this, he was a strict vegetarian.

From "Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea" by Charles Seife

Its commitment to cut net debt has coincided with a stricter approach to spending and a pivot back to its traditional fossil-fuel business.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 4, 2026

He was quoted by local media as saying that "almost all of these issues stem from the use of mobile phones and social media", and vowed to look into stricter measures.

From BBC ● Aug. 3, 2026

The ratios outlined for those programs are similar if not stricter than current Head Start regulations.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 3, 2026

Some have called for Germany's laws against terrorism to be made stricter.

From BBC ● Jul. 27, 2026

I had less maneuverability back in the much stricter Charlestown Prison.

From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey

Social Security has one of the strictest measures of disability.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 14, 2026

Students attending graduate school will also face the strictest loan limits in decades.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 1, 2026

This would require the strictest inspections, which again raises the leverage question.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 24, 2026

The disciplinary files of Los Angeles police officers are closely guarded secrets, protected by some of the nation’s strictest confidentiality laws.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 10, 2026

Don Apolinar Moscote explained to him, in strictest confidence, that the soldiers had taken the weapons off as proof that the Liberals were preparing for war.

From "One Hundred Years of Solitude" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Related Words

• draconian
• exacting
• harsh
• rigid
• rigorous
• scrupulous
• severe
• stern
• stringent
• tough