strict

[ strikt ]

See synonyms for: strict stricter strictest strictness 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

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

synonym study For strict

1. 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 words for strict

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

See synonyms for strict on Thesaurus.com

Opposites for strict

1	flexible, lax

See antonyms for strict on Thesaurus.com

Other words from strict

strictness, noun
o·ver·strict, adjective
su·per·strict, adjective
su·per·strict·ly, adverb
su·per·strict·ness, noun
un·strict, adjective
un·strict·ly, adverb
un·strict·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use strict in a sentence

Despite global unrest, the 2014 election may not be a “foreign policy election” in the strictest sense.
Will World Chaos Sink the Dems? | Kristen Soltis Anderson | September 9, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
And it never seemed wrong, since I was copying myself and not even my strictest teachers had ever told me that was wrong.
There’s Nothing Wrong—and a Lot That’s Right—About Copying Other Artists | Malcolm Jones | January 26, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Japan has some of the strictest gun-control laws in the world.
The Great Japanese Gang Wars | Jake Adelstein, Nathalie-Kyoko Stucky | June 25, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
In our country, the states with the strictest gun laws have the lowest rates of gun crime.
Why the South Loves Guns | David Sessions | December 16, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
Iran was hit with some of the strictest sanctions ever imposed on a nation.
Bibi’s Three Steps Forward, One Back | Trita Parsi | October 11, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST

They are raised on the strictest scientific principles and yield me the greater part of my income.
Ancestors | Gertrude Atherton
I conceive that the strictest union of affection is requisite to conjugal felicity.
Madame Roland, Makers of History | John S. C. Abbott
Octavius, surnamed Augustus, really caused himself to be adored in the strictest sense of the word.
A Philosophical Dictionary, Volume 1 (of 10) | Franois-Marie Arouet (AKA Voltaire)
Ile endureThe strictest course of life that iealousie Can thinke secure enough, ere my behauiourShall call my fame in question.
The Fatal Dowry | Philip Massinger
She said that they had enough funds to take them home in four weeks by the strictest kind of management.
Ways of War and Peace | Delia Austrian

British Dictionary definitions for strict

strict

/ (strɪkt) /

adjective

adhering closely to specified rules, ordinances, etc: a strict faith
complied with or enforced stringently; rigorous: a strict code of conduct

severely correct in attention to rules of conduct or morality: a strict teacher
(of a punishment, etc) harsh; severe
(prenominal) complete; absolute: in 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 identical: See 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 upright: strict panicles

Origin of strict

C16: from Latin strictus, from stringere to draw tight

Derived forms of strict

strictly, adverb
strictness, noun

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

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