STRICT Synonyms: 147 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'strict' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of strict are rigid , rigorous , and stringent . While all these words mean "extremely severe or stern," strict emphasizes undeviating conformity to rules, standards, or requirements. // strict enforcement of the law

Q: When could 'rigid' be used to replace 'strict'?

The synonyms rigid and strict are sometimes interchangeable, but rigid implies uncompromising inflexibility. // rigid rules of conduct

Q: When would 'rigorous' be a good substitute for 'strict'?

The words rigorous and strict are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, rigorous implies the imposition of hardship and difficulty. // the rigorous training of recruits

Q: When is it sensible to use 'stringent' instead of 'strict'?

Although the words stringent and strict have much in common, stringent suggests severe, tight restriction or limitation. // stringent standards of admission

strict

adjective

ˈstrikt

Definition of strict

as in accurate

following an original exactly not a strict translation, because a lot of the humor is in the wordplay

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in rigorous

given to exacting standards of discipline and self-restraint that piano teacher is notoriously strict, but students make great strides under her tutelage

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in rigid

not allowing for any exceptions or loosening of standards on a strict diet strict adherence to the letter of the law

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word strict distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of strict are rigid, rigorous, and stringent. While all these words mean "extremely severe or stern," strict emphasizes undeviating conformity to rules, standards, or requirements.

strict enforcement of the law

When could rigid be used to replace strict?

The synonyms rigid and strict are sometimes interchangeable, but rigid implies uncompromising inflexibility.

rigid rules of conduct

When would rigorous be a good substitute for strict?

The words rigorous and strict are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, rigorous implies the imposition of hardship and difficulty.

the rigorous training of recruits

When is it sensible to use stringent instead of strict?

Although the words stringent and strict have much in common, stringent suggests severe, tight restriction or limitation.

stringent standards of admission

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of strict This asterisk notation is a result of strict data suppression rules enforced by NCHS for protecting the confidentiality of the decedent. — Denys T. Lau, STAT, 25 Sep. 2026 Your father was a minister in the Church of Christ, which is pretty strict, right? — Marlow Stern, Variety, 25 Sep. 2026 The new, stricter rule comes a week after the Federal Transit Administration set a Monday deadline for the MTA to beef up worker protection. — Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 24 Sep. 2026 There is also a strict warning not to enter the disaster area independently for any reason. — Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 24 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for strict

Recent Examples of Synonyms for strict

Adjective

Iran’s long-range, highly accurate Shahed-136 attack drones — flying fiberglass triangles that cost about $35,000 each — have helped Tehran hold off the world’s most powerful military.

— The Week US, TheWeek, 28 Sep. 2026
Even so, Mejia wants more information to be sure that those reports are accurate, especially because the city previously agreed to help cover any deficit should the Games lose money.

— James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of accurate

Adjective

Operating-model transformation requires both strategic vision and rigorous accountability, and only finance leaders sit at the intersection of both.

— James Kavanaugh, Fortune, 30 Sep. 2026
Every personal finance article is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of personal finance and savings products.

— Jasmin Suknanan, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of rigorous

Adjective

Researchers have found that a hijacks brain circuit, which to drive increasingly rigid and repetitive behavior.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 28 Sep. 2026
The device straps on like a rigid vest, with bands securing the torso, waist, thighs, legs, and feet.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 27 Sep. 2026

Definition of rigid

Adjective

In a world where true-crime shows of both the fictional and nonfictional variety run rampant on our screens, that’s probably not a bad corporate strategy.

— Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2026
In Cuba, for instance, the single format is dominant, and very few artists have dared to create a true concept album.

— Jessica Roiz, Billboard, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of true

Adjective

This has been complicated further by the Iran war energy shock which is a harsh wake-up call for Southeast Asia.

— ABC News, ABC News, 26 Sep. 2026
Even when used on its own, bleach is incredibly harsh and can strip your floors’ finish, leaving it vulnerable to damage, discoloration, and dullness over time.

— Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of harsh

Adjective

The release of the men does not mean that the investigation is over, and all five will be subject to stringent conditions on their movements, Laurence Taylor, a senior officer in the UK counter-terrorism police said at a brief news conference.

— Tim Lister, CNN Money, 28 Sep. 2026
Security should have been more stringent at the college event where conservative activist Charlie Kirk was fatally shot, according to a review released Friday by Utah Valley University.

— Hannah Knowles, Washington Post, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of stringent

Adjective

Nick wants to be careful about their firm’s spending, but Serena reminds him that Cathcarts has every resource at its disposal.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2026
The Iranian regime will need to be careful before launching such an attack, or even before undertaking lesser forms of escalation.

— Mohammad Ayatollahi Tabaar, Foreign Affairs, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of careful

Adjective

Mason said experts in her field do not deny the existence of authoritarian personalities on the left, but ended up developing other, less partisan scales including one based on people's values for raising children.

— Lisa Hagen, NPR, 30 Sep. 2026
The second half throws us into the other timeline, where Ari’s doppelgänger, known as Ibari, is a high-ranking undercover operative willing to disappear fellow citizens that pose challenges to the authoritarian government.

— The Week US, TheWeek, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of authoritarian

Browse Nearby Words

striating

strict

strictly

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Strict.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strict. Accessed 2 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of strict

adjective

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

heterodox

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

7 Great Ways to Say 'Great'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Oct. 2

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

7 Great Ways to Say 'Great'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes