strict
Americanadjective
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stricter,
comparative
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strictest
superlative
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characterized by or acting in close conformity to requirements or principles.
a strict observance of rituals.
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stringent or exacting in or in enforcing rules, requirements, obligations, etc..
strict laws; a strict judge.
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closely or rigorously enforced or maintained.
strict silence.
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exact or precise.
a strict statement of facts.
- Synonyms:
- scrupulous, accurate
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extremely defined or conservative; narrowly or carefully limited.
a strict construction of the Constitution.
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close, careful, or minute.
a strict search.
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absolute, perfect, or complete; utmost.
told in strict confidence.
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stern; severe; austere.
strict parents.
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Obsolete. drawn tight or close.
adjective
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adhering closely to specified rules, ordinances, etc
a strict faith
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complied with or enforced stringently; rigorous
a strict code of conduct
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severely correct in attention to rules of conduct or morality
a strict teacher
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(of a punishment, etc) harsh; severe
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(prenominal) complete; absolute
in strict secrecy
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logic maths
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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
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distinguished from a relation of the same name that is not the subject of formal study
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rare botany very straight, narrow, and upright
strict panicles
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
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strictnessnoun
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superstrictnessnoun
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unstrictnessnoun
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overstrictadjective
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superstrictadjective
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unstrictadjective
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strictlyadverb
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superstrictlyadverb
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unstrictlyadverb
Inflected Forms
Adjectives
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.
Vocabulary lists containing strict
Tears of a Tiger
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"The War of the Wall" by Toni Cade Bambara
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"Kids Like Me: Voices of the Immigrant Experience"
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
"The world is not entirely free of crime," he said, adding that those responsible would not be allowed to escape and would face strict action.
From BBC ● Sep. 22, 2026
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and his delegation face strict U.S. travel and shopping limits during their visit to the U.N.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 22, 2026
She called for the remaining suspects to be arrested quickly and for strict action against those responsible.
From BBC ● Sep. 22, 2026
Guests who arrive in costume are very much welcome, though if they’re sporting lightsabers, there is a strict check-at-the-door policy.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 17, 2026
Which, I reminded myself, was a situation my mother had given me strict instructions to avoid.
From "Glitch" by Laura Martin
In March of this year, Fannie and Freddie announced new, stricter condo-financing standards that will require more scrutiny of a building’s finances.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 18, 2026
Last year, Simsek said the government was aware of manipulation in certain funds and pledged to crack down with stricter regulation.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 18, 2026
International students, so-called "visa hoppers" and backpackers will be targeted under stricter rules announced by Australia on Thursday in a bid to curb immigration.
From BBC ● Sep. 17, 2026
Over the weekend, numerous tech CEOs shared warnings of artificial intelligence becoming an existential risk to humanity, which has garnered calls for stricter regulation of the tech industry.
From Salon ● Sep. 14, 2026
Most of my American friends had way stricter rules in their households.
From "Americanized" by Sara Saedi
Perhaps the biggest came in Oregon, which enacted the nation’s strictest curbs on private equity’s control over medical practices.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 16, 2026
They also contended it included the nation’s strictest data privacy protections and noted how participation would be voluntary, similar to how it is offered in other states.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 2, 2026
Prime Minister Sharif called for an investigation and said that the "strictest possible action" should be taken against those found to be responsible.
From Barron's ● Aug. 26, 2026
Students attending graduate school will also face the strictest loan limits in decades.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 1, 2026
I knew Mrs. Joe’s housekeeping to be of the strictest kind, and that my larcenous researches might find nothing available in the safe.
From "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
