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strict

strict

359 3.2
Not allowing any exceptions and requiring rules to be followed exactly
  • adjective
  • /strɪkt/
translation icon : estricto
  • Trust can be achieved through a system of strict compliance with rules.
  • strict rules
  • very strict
  • in the strict sense

You have strict, strict instructions from the judge.

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Examples

  • In April of the same year, it proclaimed a strict ban on short haircuts for women.

    Academic text (1999)
  • The manager enforced a strict deadline for submitting the reports.

  • It's a very strict policy.

  • You have strict, strict instructions from the judge.

  • Do you have a strict diet you stick to?

  • Paris Casino has a strict dress code.

  • But the department has some pretty strict rules on sexual harassment.

  • Various rules and regulations place strict limits on access to and use of resources in forest reserves.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Er, we have a strict lights-out policy at 9:00.

  • Your strict adherence to absolute poverty is unrealistic.

Synonyms

harsh
vsstrict
289 2.8

Unkind and too strict in what someone says or does to others

is about enforcing rules exactly rather than focusing on being unkind
tight
vsstrict
182 4.0

Strict rules that allow very little freedom

is the broader demand for exact rule following rather than procedural focus
rigorous
vsstrict
85 6.7

Being very strict and careful about rules and details

is about enforcing rules generally rather than stressing meticulous detail
rigid
vsstrict
70 4.2

Not willing to change ideas or ways of doing things

demands exact rule following but allows for policy or detail flexibility
severe
vsstrict
68 4.2

Very strict and harsh when judging or punishing people

focuses on insisting on exact rule following rather than harshness alone
restrictive
vsstrict
52 4.7

Limits what people can do by rules or laws

focuses on demanding exact rule following rather than merely restricting options
stern
vsstrict
42 4.3

Serious and strict, not willing to change

is the act of demanding rule obedience rather than only a serious tone
stringent
vsstrict
40 6.9

Very strict rules or limits that must be followed

insists on rule following broadly rather than emphasizing precision only
hardline
vsstrict
14 6.8

Very strict and unwilling to change policies or make compromises

is about insisting on rules in many settings rather than political stance
hard-and-fast
vsstrict
12 5.7

Very clear rules or limits that do not allow change

expresses the general insistence on following rules rather than only clarity
exacting
vsstrict
7 7.0

Needing a lot of care and attention to small details

is about insisting on rule following rather than precision in work
iron-fisted
vsstrict
2 7.6

A leader who uses very strict rules to control people

means demanding rule obedience without implying oppressive or authoritarian methods
unpermissive
vsstrict
9.2

Strict and not willing to allow exceptions

is the general demand for exact rule adherence rather than permission stance

Antonyms

32 4.4

Not strict about rules and punishment

permissive
  • Jargon
14 4.9

Not strict and giving a lot of freedom about what people do

Idioms

Demanding that people follow rules while treating everyone the same

Compounds

14 3.4

An order people must follow exactly, often with punishment if ignored

3 4.2

A set of rules people must always follow with no exceptions

2 7.0

A way of reading laws or rules that follows their exact written words without allowing change

A very controlled routine of diet, exercise, and medicine

A strong rule that people must follow to keep others safe

How Strict

draconian
  • Formal
28 8.9
severe
68 4.2
stringent
40 6.9
strict
359 3.2
firm
73 2.7

Surface Forms

strict positive
stricter comparative
strictest superlative

Etymology

Strict comes from an old Latin word strictus, from stringere which means 'to pull tight' or 'to bind'. Think of a pulled tight string with no slack, so a strict rule leaves no room for exceptions.