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 of stringent

• strict
• rigorous

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

While many of the most popular national parks have stringent pet restrictions, plenty of others welcome dogs with a handful of easy-to-follow rules. — Rebecca R. Norris, USA Today, 29 June 2026

However, this requires the use of high-quality crystals and stringent conditions that limit its usage for routine studies. — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 26 June 2026

And a final deal that lacks stringent verification procedures to monitor Iran’s compliance will not be worth the paper that it’s printed on. — David Goldman, CNN Money, 26 June 2026

Despite stringent rules on the behavior of women and girls, the number of women with business licenses in Afghanistan has increased 10 times over the past five years, to 10,000. — Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 23 June 2026

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