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

The Fed subjects those banks to more stringent capital requirements in case of another financial crisis — somewhere between 1% to 4.5% on top of emergency fund requirements that all large banks must adhere to. —Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 26 June 2025

However, this rapid surge goes hand in hand with the evolution of stringent compliance standards imposed by regulatory authorities to promote fairness and protect users. —Dzmitry Lubneuski, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025

The new legislation, passed by the state legislature last month, establishes more stringent requirements for the operation of self-driving cars. —Elaine Mallon, The Washington Examiner, 20 June 2025

The proposal for more stringent work requirements, which has grown in popularity, poses a particular threat to our most vulnerable. —Dee Stewart, Boston Herald, 20 June 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