stringent
Americanadjective
-
rigorously binding or exacting; strict; severe.
stringent laws.
- Synonyms:
- restrictive
- Antonyms:
- flexible
-
compelling, constraining, or urgent.
stringent necessity.
-
convincing or forcible.
stringent arguments.
-
(of the money market) characterized by a shortage in money for loan or investment purposes; tight.
adjective
-
requiring strict attention to rules, procedure, detail, etc
-
finance characterized by or causing a shortage of credit, loan capital, etc
Synonym Usage
See strict.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of stringent
First recorded in 1595–1605; from Latin stringent- (stem of stringēns ), present participle of stringere “to draw tight”; see -ent
Explanation
That teacher's demands are stringent — she wants the homework typed in her favorite font, on special paper, and each essay must be exactly 45 lines! While the word stringent might seem foreign, if you're afflicted with pimples, you'll know the word astringent. An astringent causes your skin to tighten like it's shrinking your pores. This tightening, constricting feel describes stringent with regard to rules. Stringent safety procedures prevent accidents in a dangerous work environment. And restaurants must adhere to stringent health regulations.
Vocabulary lists containing stringent
Essential Academic Vocabulary for High School Students, List 2
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Wonder
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Vocabulary from the Third and Final Presidential Debate, October 19, 2016
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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.
Europe is also simultaneously seeking to diversify its trading partners, especially for rare earths, an industry dominated by China, after Beijing's stringent export controls last year revealed just how vulnerable the bloc is.
From Barron's • May 29, 2026
“Since 1976, air conditioning systems changed and agencies around the world have more stringent cleaning and hygiene standards for cooling towers and large-scale air-conditioning systems,” the CDC says.
From Los Angeles Times • May 18, 2026
"Crucially, the New York Times would face a far more stringent burden of proof in Israel than under the US standard, as a mere lack of malice is insufficient to avoid liability," he said.
From BBC • May 15, 2026
While never mentioning China by name, the ministers clearly took aim at Beijing and its stringent export controls on rare earths in their statement, after two days of meetings in France.
From Barron's • May 6, 2026
Somewhere behind the locked door in my mind, I heard the echo of Erna Kleist’s stringent voice: Not that one.
From "Salt to the Sea" by Ruta Sepetys
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.
