strict

American  

[strikt] / strɪkt /

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 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

---

Related Words

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

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

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

Example Sentences

The company added that all current operations remain independent of the former executive and that Lifetouch continues to follow strict privacy and security protocols to protect students and schools.

From Salon

Under the Online Safety Act, which entered force in July, platforms hosting potentially harmful content are required to implement strict age verification through tools such as facial imagery or credit card checks.

From Barron's

The trust has been in the spotlight over the past few years for their strict rules, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

From BBC

"What happened was barbaric, deplorable and shameful. We want the strictest punishment for those responsible," said Badshah Mian, managing director of Pioneer Knitwear.

From BBC

At major Communist Party and government meetings, participants follow strict seating protocols that place attendees based on their rank, the seniority of the institutions they represent and other criteria.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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