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

Did you know?

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

According to Desai, doctors must stick to stringent standards to protect patient safety. —Kristen Fischer, Health, 24 Apr. 2024

Many advocates hope the new nationwide rules released by the EPA last week, which create stringent new standards for PFAS in drinking water, will be only the first step of a wider effort to study, remediate, and regulate the chemicals. —Stephanie Hanes, The Christian Science Monitor, 18 Apr. 2024

Medical marijuana operators already had to meet stringent state requirements that are part of the recreational program. —Haley Bemiller, The Enquirer, 15 Apr. 2024

Landline Phones One of Augusta National's most stringent rules is simple: No cell phones. —Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 11 Apr. 2024

After three years of living under China’s stringent Covid restrictions, Chinese employees don’t mind going to the office — but many want to do so on their terms and in their comfy clothes. —Daisuke Wakabayashi, New York Times, 24 Mar. 2024

His administration is also looking for ways to incentivize local municipalities to do away with stringent zoning restrictions. —Benjamin Oreskes, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2024

For most people, the only insurer that covers this kind of care is Medicaid, which in most states comes with stringent restrictions on recipients’ income and assets. —S. I. Rosenbaum, The Atlantic, 7 Apr. 2024

In anticipation of the 1996 Olympics, the city implemented stringent measures to crack down on traffic and ensure public safety — dead-ending the festivities by barricading streets and interstate exits. —Janay Kingsberry, Washington Post, 21 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin stringent-, stringens, present participle of stringere

First Known Use

1736, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!

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