stricture
1
8.2
- noun
- /ˈstrɪk.tʃɚ/
- Formal
:
crítica
- The "real America" is not a theory, and we may do great harm in demanding that it conform to the strictures of theory.
Examples
-
In fact, I wonder whether Aristotle's stricture on unity of time reflects the limitations of our ability to keep track of complex sequences.
Academic text (1999) -
However, we soon discover that some proposals that follow the strictures of reason prove impossible to realize in practice.
Academic text (2000) -
I had put his strictures aside after I had slept on them.
Fiction book (1995) -
One might conclude as much from Kant's strictures on morality.
Academic text (2003) -
Marlow wants the felt intimacies and transcendent meanings of communal life without the structures and strictures that make that life possible.
Academic text (2000) -
In this sense, then, the destruction of freshman composition, properly understood as the result of massive resentment against the strictures of rational discourse, can help us understand the larger phenomenon of political correctness a bit differently than it is normally understood.
Academic text (1996) -
The teacher's stricture on late assignments motivated the students to complete their work on time.
-
The journalist faced backlash for his harsh stricture of the government's new policy.
-
In her speech, she included a stricture against dishonesty in political campaigns.
Synonyms
141
7.4
A formal statement expressing strong disapproval of someone
24
6.1
A formal complaint from someone in charge about bad behaviour
3
3.9
Strong negative opinion that is unkind or too strict
1
9.0
Severe criticism or punishment using harsh words
1
6.3
A strong angry talk that tells someone they did something wrong
1
9.1
Very strong criticism that openly attacks a person
Very harsh comments that make someone feel hurt
Antonyms
How Severe
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
The word stricture comes from a Latin root that means 'to tighten', related to strict. A stricture as a strong criticism works like a 'tight' hold on behaviour or words, so the origin helps explain why it feels sharp and limiting.