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

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

Bobbie is certified not only as USDA organic but also as European Union (EU) organic, which is a more stringent and comprehensive certification. —Lainey Younkin, Ms, Rd, Parents, 15 Mar. 2024

This particular regulation had previously served as a cornerstone for the IRS in disallowing deductions claimed by taxpayers under the guise of conservation easements, imposing stringent conditions that required the easements to be perpetual. —Jessica Ledingham, J.d., Ll.m., Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024

To a certain extent, that’s true, although there can be quite stringent rules depending on the country. —Tony Sachs, Robb Report, 29 Mar. 2024

After collecting comments from the public and industry, the EPA adjusted the final rule to kick in more gradually in the next few years and becomes more stringent in the early 2030s. —Camila Domonoske, NPR, 29 Mar. 2024

California has an even more stringent rule, signed into law in October 2023. —Sehoon Kim, The Conversation, 6 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin stringent-, stringens, present participle of stringere

First Known Use

1736, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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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