strict

[strikt]

adjective

stricter, strictest 

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.

strict

/ 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

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of strict¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of strict¹

C16: from Latin strictus, from stringere to draw tight

Synonym Study

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.

Example Sentences

Shealy told Salon that people have slashed her tires, shot out the windows of her home and thrown images of dismembered fetuses at her over her votes against strict abortion bans.

Read more on Salon

The package, modelled on the stricter approach brought in by Denmark's centre-left government, makes refugee status temporary, narrows the appeal process and threatens visa bans on countries that block returns.

Read more on BBC

One limit to monetizing through YouTube is strict rules for “Made for Kids” content.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

That aircraft has been an even bigger problem for Boeing over the past several years, as the company faced the aftermath of two deadly crashes, including strict government oversight.

Read more on MarketWatch

All martial arts were temporarily banned for women after the 1979 Islamic Revolution but were later reinstated under stricter dress code regulations.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

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