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:
Takaichi has also accelerated a beefing up of Japan's military capabilities as its sheds its strict pacifist stance in place since the war.
From Barron's ● Aug. 15, 2026
Others impose strict limits on promotional activity in subreddit conversation, such as allowing it only on certain days of the week.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026
Previously, only same-sex relationships did not have to follow the strict women-first rule.
From BBC ● Aug. 13, 2026
The country has been governed for almost five years by the Taliban authorities, which rule according to a strict interpretation of Islamic law.
From Barron's ● Aug. 11, 2026
“But we won’t get American visas. It took Abu years to get his. And your government is even more strict about letting young people into the country.”
From "Amina's Song" by Hena Khan
Wikipedia is also highly cited, but sources tell me the gatekeepers to Wiki pages are even stricter than Reddit mods when it comes to blocking promotional amendments, and rightly so.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026
They also raised the minimum age for participating singers from 16 to 18; and introduced stricter rules around the use of pre-recorded vocals at the contest.
From BBC ● Aug. 14, 2026
According to Airbnb research, when cities like New York enacted stricter hosting policies, swaths of the company’s home-rental footprint effectively disappeared in those areas.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 11, 2026
Officials have since promised stricter gun laws, but previous pledges have failed to prevent repeated shootings.
From Barron's ● Aug. 10, 2026
This was a long time before us, when the guardians were much stricter, cruel even, and when she tried to get back in, she wasn’t allowed.
From "Never Let Me Go" by Kazuo Ishiguro
Students attending graduate school will also face the strictest loan limits in decades.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 1, 2026
A trustee actually has the strictest transparency requirement for the beneficiaries.
From MarketWatch ● May 25, 2026
This would require the strictest inspections, which again raises the leverage question.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 24, 2026
However, unlike San Diego and Berkeley, whose regulations more or less match the strictest options the state Board of Forestry is considering, Los Angeles is pushing for a more lenient approach.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 13, 2026
I tell you this in the strictest of confidences, because you seem to be so genuinely concerned.
From "Tears of a Tiger" by Sharon M. Draper
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.
