1
a
: stringent in requirement or control
under strict orders
b
: severe in discipline
a strict teacher
2
a
: inflexibly maintained or adhered to
strict secrecy
b
: rigorously conforming to principle or a norm or condition
3
: exact, precise
in the strict sense of the word
4
: of narrow erect habit of growth
a strict inflorescence
5
archaic
a
: tight, close
also : intimate
b
: narrow
strictly adverb
strictness noun
Choose the Right Synonym for strict

rigid, rigorous, strict, stringent mean extremely severe or stern.

rigid implies uncompromising inflexibility.

rigid rules of conduct

rigorous implies the imposition of hardship and difficulty.

the rigorous training of recruits

strict emphasizes undeviating conformity to rules, standards, or requirements.

strict enforcement of the law

stringent suggests severe, tight restriction or limitation.

stringent standards of admission

Examples of strict in a Sentence

Her parents aren't very strict. He insists on strict adherence to the rules.
Recent Examples on the Web Some merchants blame the strict security for driving customers away, while others welcome the safer environment. Ashley Ahn, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2024 There’s hope now that a wide-ranging PFAS ban that Minnesota passed last year, the strictest so far, will help lessen the burden. Chloe Johnson, Journal Sentinel, 8 Mar. 2024 Three years of strict pandemic controls, which ended at the beginning of 2023, and a real estate crash have drained local government coffers, leaving authorities across the country struggling with mountains of debt. Laura He, CNN, 8 Mar. 2024 Elections in Iran have never been free and fair, compared with the standards of democratic countries, because candidates go through a strict vetting process controlled by the government. Farnaz Fassihi, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2024 The Congressional Hispanic Caucus, whose leaders denounced not being consulted as part of the latest border bill negotiations, has repudiated Cuellar in the past over his support for stricter border policies. Marianna Sotomayor, Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2024 By the time Jenny was born, her two older sisters with cystic fibrosis—Shannan, 8, and Teresa, 7—were on a strict schedule of mucus-clearing chest therapy and medications that had kept them alive past toddlerhood. Sarah Zhang, The Atlantic, 7 Mar. 2024 These squeezable bottles offer a more functional and fun way to weave EVOO into your cooking routine—while upholding the strict quality standards of California EVOO production. Jenna Anderson, Sunset Magazine, 6 Mar. 2024 In 2019, following two years of community outreach, Milpitas banned commercial cannabis and set strict regulations for cultivation for personal use. Stephanie Lam, The Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'strict.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English stricte, from Latin strictus, from past participle of stringere to bind tight — more at strain

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 5

Time Traveler
The first known use of strict was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near strict

Cite this Entry

“Strict.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/strict. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

strict

adjective
1
: permitting no avoidance or escape
under strict orders
2
a
: kept with great care : absolute
strict secrecy
b
: carefully obeying rules or a code of conduct
3
: completely correct : exact, precise
in the strict meaning of the word
strictly adverb
strictness noun

Legal Definition

strict

adjective
1
: characterized by narrowness : not demonstrating a broad or liberal view
strict interpretation
2
a
: firm or rigid in requirement or control
b
: severe in discipline
3
a
: inflexibly maintained or adhered to
b
: rigorously conforming to a principle or norm or condition
a strict bill of interpleader
4
: not requiring fault see also strict liability at liability sense 2b
strictly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on strict

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