strict

[strikt]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR strict ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective, strict·er, strict·est.

characterized by or acting in close conformity to requirements or principles: a strict observance of rituals.

stringent or exacting in or in enforcing rules, requirements, obligations, etc.: strict laws; a strict judge.

closely or rigorously enforced or maintained: strict silence.

exact or precise: a strict statement of facts.

extremely defined or conservative; narrowly or carefully limited: a strict construction of the Constitution.

close, careful, or minute: a strict search.

absolute, perfect, or complete; utmost: told in strict confidence.

stern; severe; austere: strict parents.

Obsolete. drawn tight or close.

Origin of strict

1570–80; < Latin strictus, equivalent to strig-, variant stem of stringere to draw tight + -tus past participle suffix

Related formsstrict·ness, nouno·ver·strict, adjectivesu·per·strict, adjectivesu·per·strict·ly, adverbsu·per·strict·ness, nounun·strict, adjectiveun·strict·ly, adverbun·strict·ness, noun

Synonyms for strict

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR strict ON THESAURUS.COM

1. narrow, illiberal, harsh, austere. 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. 4. accurate, scrupulous.

Antonyms for strict

1. flexible, lax.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for stricter

stringent, tough, harsh, scrupulous, exacting, severe, rigid, stern, rigorous, draconian, precise, meticulous, exact, religious, austere, disciplinary, dour, firm, forbidding, grim

Examples from the Web for stricter

Contemporary Examples of stricter

But, in a disconnect, only half support "stricter gun control laws."
Mom Gun-Control Group Fights the NRA With Its Own Weapon
Brandy Zadrozny
July 7, 2014
In the 1990s, support for stricter gun laws hovered between 60 and 78 percent.
Pediatricians Take on the NRA Over Gun Safety
Brandy Zadrozny
May 15, 2014
Calls came for stricter gun laws, including prohibiting neighborhood-watch volunteers from carrying firearms.
The Only Non-White Juror in the George Zimmerman Trial
Lisa Bloom
February 26, 2014
In general, content-based speech restrictions are subject to stricter scrutiny than content-neutral rules.
SCOTUS-Palooza: Preview of the Big Cases in the New Term
Ilya Shapiro
October 7, 2013
Sure, if stricter voter ID laws are passed in certain swing states that were, until today, covered under the act.
Supreme Court and Voting Rights
Michael Tomasky
June 25, 2013

Historical Examples of stricter

But at least once in the process of his work he might be held to a stricter account than elsewhere.
College Teaching
Paul Klapper
Lastly, the stricter an Order the more perfect it seems to be.
On Prayer and The Contemplative Life
St. Thomas Aquinas
For their sakes he devoted himself to a stricter economy than ever.
In a Little Town
Rupert Hughes
For the social joys of private life the laws were stricter still.
History of the Moravian Church
J. E. Hutton
Besides, he has not had the advantage of our stricter training.
Tancred
Benjamin Disraeli

British Dictionary definitions for stricter

strict

adjective

adhering closely to specified rules, ordinances, etca strict faith

complied with or enforced stringently; rigorousa strict code of conduct

severely correct in attention to rules of conduct or moralitya strict teacher

(of a punishment, etc) harsh; severe

(prenominal) complete; absolutein strict secrecy

logic maths (of a relation)

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 identicalSee also proper (def. 9), ordering
distinguished from a relation of the same name that is not the subject of formal study

botany rare very straight, narrow, and uprightstrict panicles

Derived Formsstrictly, adverbstrictness, noun

Word Origin for strict

C16: from Latin strictus, from stringere to draw tight

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for stricter

strict

adj.

1590s, "narrow, drawn in, small," from Latin strictus "drawn together, tight, rigid," past participle of stringere "draw or bind tight" (see strain (v.)). The sense of "stringent and rigorous" (of law) is first found in 1570s; of qualities or conditions generally, 1580s.