stringent

adjective

strin·​gent ˈstrin-jənt 

1

: tight, constricted

2

: marked by rigor, strictness, or severity especially with regard to rule or standard

stringent decontamination procedures

3

: marked by money scarcity and credit strictness

a stringent budget

stringently adverb

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How Should You Use stringent?

Words that are synonymous with stringent include rigid, which implies uncompromising inflexibility ("rigid rules of conduct"), and rigorous, which suggests hardship and difficulty ("the rigorous training of firefighters"). Also closely related is strict, which emphasizes undeviating conformity to rules, standards, or requirements ("strict enforcement of the law"). Stringent usually involves severe, tight restrictions or limitations ("the college has stringent admissions rules"). That's logical. After all, rigorous and rigid are both derived from rigēre, the Latin word meaning "to be stiff," and stringent and strict developed from the Latin verb stringere, meaning "to bind tight."

Synonyms

• brassbound
• cast-iron
• exacting
• hard-line
• inflexible
• rigid
• rigorous
• strict
• uncompromising

Choose the Right Synonym for stringent

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 stringent in a Sentence

stringent rules against unauthorized persons being in the building

Recent Examples on the Web

Empowering SMEs With MSPs The cyber insurance industry recognizes that SMEs often lack the resources and in-house expertise to meet stringent cybersecurity requirements. —Ratnesh Pandey, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025

Winner: Windows 11 Security Windows 11 has more stringent hardware security requirements. —PC Magazine, 2 June 2025

The Blue Flag is granted to beaches and marinas that meet stringent requirements for sustainable practices and environmental education. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 30 May 2025

Beyond diamonds, the brand maintains similarly stringent standards for gold, abiding by the Dodd-Frank Act to prevent gold associated with human rights violations from entering its supply chain. —Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 23 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin stringent-, stringens, present participle of stringere

First Known Use

1736, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for stringent

• astringent
• contingent
• birefringent

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Kids Definition

stringent

adjective

strin·​gent ˈstrin-jənt 

1

: tying, drawing, or pressing tight

2

: strict in setting standards or following rules

stringent training

stringently adverb