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 But many in the industry say the H-2B program doesn’t work well because of the strict cap on and steep competition for the number of visas available, as well as the year-round operations of many construction firms. Tami Luhby, CNN, 21 Mar. 2024 The massive rounds of layoffs at tech giants and many smaller companies were largely the result of stricter investor demands — what managers saw as over-hiring during the pandemic and a stock market that rewarded those personnel cuts. Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2024 With the click of a button on your cellphone a driver will shuttle you a six-pack of beer or bottle of wine, but not without strict age verification software. Nick Penzenstadler, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2024 Look for bargains, keep your overhead low and proceed with a strict budget. Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 20 Mar. 2024 Congress has failed time and again to produce strict rules protecting consumers online. Gabriel Levin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Mar. 2024 In 2014, the family appeared on ABC’s Celebrity Wife Swap, switching places with Martin actress Tichina Arnold — who struggled with Packard’s strict Mormon rules: no coffee, tea, alcohol...and very limited TV time. Kathleen Perricone, EW.com, 20 Mar. 2024 As the music and dance parties thrill the town’s youth, the new fad leads to consternation and anger among the older generation, pitting Dora against her own strict father. Ed Meza, Variety, 19 Mar. 2024 Many Christians celebrate it with strict fasting, while others observe a partial fast by not eating meat, according to the Boston Public Library. Marina Johnson, The Indianapolis Star, 19 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 29 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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!