stringent

[strin-juhnt]

adjective

1. rigorously binding or exacting; strict; severe.

   stringent laws.

   Synonyms: restrictive
   Antonyms: flexible

2. compelling, constraining, or urgent.

   stringent necessity.

3. convincing or forcible.

   stringent arguments.

   Synonyms: effective, powerful, forceful

4. (of the money market) characterized by a shortage in money for loan or investment purposes; tight.

stringent

/ ˈstrɪndʒənt /

adjective

1. requiring strict attention to rules, procedure, detail, etc

2. finance characterized by or causing a shortage of credit, loan capital, etc

Other Word Forms

• stringently adverb
• nonstringent adjective
• unstringent adjective
• unstringently adverb
• stringency noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of stringent¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Latin stringent- (stem of stringēns ), present participle of stringere “to draw tight”; -ent

Word History and Origins

Origin of stringent¹

C17: from Latin stringere to bind

Synonym Study

See strict.

Example Sentences

The model includes new tools such as Deep Think, for projects that require more stringent reasoning; generative user interfaces; and improved “vibe coding” for software developers, among other benefits.

Read more on Barron's

Baroness Hallett found the UK was too late to consider the idea of a lockdown to suppress the disease in 2020, by which time the need for stringent restrictions had become "unavoidable".

Read more on BBC

The report also praises the Scottish government for "the quick introduction of stringent, locally targeted measures" in the autumn of 2020.

Read more on BBC

The California Strawberry Commission, which represents hundreds of growers, said that the state has the nation’s most stringent workplace safety laws and that protecting berry pickers is a top priority.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

California leaders take pride in the state’s stringent workplace safety laws that generally exceed federal regulations and include labor codes to protect underage workers, landmark outdoor heat safety standards and pesticide safety regulations.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• binding 
• demanding 
• draconian 
• exacting 
• forceful 
• harsh 
• inflexible 
• ironclad 
• rigorous 
• severe 
• stiff 
• strict 
• tough