as in carefully
without any relaxation of standards or precision
strictly speaking, Columbus did not discover America—the people living there had long known about it the rules must be strictly obeyed
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Recent Examples of strictly
For many retirement savers, the choice isn’t strictly gold or cash.
—
Roxanne Downer, USA Today, 20 Jan. 2026
Access to internal data is strictly controlled, and agents are continuously monitored.
—Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
Although Connecticut’s law strictly regulates the way data collected by speed and red light cameras can be used, Dan Barrett, the legal director of the ACLU of Connecticut, said the organization is concerned about their use.
—Emilia Otte, Hartford Courant, 19 Jan. 2026
Boasting a strong cast, more violence than is strictly necessary, and moody vibes, the series feels right at home in the DC Universe, and the show takes its time in digging into characters and backstories over the four available seasons.
—Ilana Gordon, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Jan. 2026
Fernández has been preaching physicality and defensive presence from day one, and Friday was another reminder that playing time in this rotation isn’t strictly tied to draft position, hype or future projections.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 18 Jan. 2026
This was the first strictly menswear showing since 2004, though previous productions held in the Hamptons in 2024 and Los Angeles in 2022 included menswear too.
—Zachary Weiss, Vanity Fair, 18 Jan. 2026
Courts tend to enforce these provisions strictly.
—Allen Buchanan, Oc Register, 17 Jan. 2026
Despite much of the legislation being largely sponsored or co-sponsored by Republicans, the adoption of crypto at the state level is not expected to strictly fall along party lines.
—Trevor Laurence Jockims, CNBC, 17 Jan. 2026
Roxanne Downer, USA Today, 20 Jan. 2026
Access to internal data is strictly controlled, and agents are continuously monitored.
—Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
Although Connecticut’s law strictly regulates the way data collected by speed and red light cameras can be used, Dan Barrett, the legal director of the ACLU of Connecticut, said the organization is concerned about their use.
—Emilia Otte, Hartford Courant, 19 Jan. 2026
Boasting a strong cast, more violence than is strictly necessary, and moody vibes, the series feels right at home in the DC Universe, and the show takes its time in digging into characters and backstories over the four available seasons.
—Ilana Gordon, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Jan. 2026
Fernández has been preaching physicality and defensive presence from day one, and Friday was another reminder that playing time in this rotation isn’t strictly tied to draft position, hype or future projections.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 18 Jan. 2026
This was the first strictly menswear showing since 2004, though previous productions held in the Hamptons in 2024 and Los Angeles in 2022 included menswear too.
—Zachary Weiss, Vanity Fair, 18 Jan. 2026
Courts tend to enforce these provisions strictly.
—Allen Buchanan, Oc Register, 17 Jan. 2026
Despite much of the legislation being largely sponsored or co-sponsored by Republicans, the adoption of crypto at the state level is not expected to strictly fall along party lines.
—Trevor Laurence Jockims, CNBC, 17 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strictly
Adverb
-
Every detail is carefully considered, right down to the moon-like globe lighting (which we're told is meant to emulate the bulbs surrounding a starlet's dressing room mirrors), and a calming palette of forest greens, powder pinks and deep blues gives the space a classic yet contemporary feel.—
Cassie Doney,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Measure carefully and note the pattern repeat if there is one.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
11 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
While rigidly matching all your fixtures was once believed to make a bathroom feel sophisticated and seamless, today, designers disagree.—
Cori Sears,
The Spruce,
31 Dec. 2025
-
The source claims Nick's days are rigidly controlled, his movements limited and his contact with the outside world effectively non-existent.—
Danielle Bacher,
PEOPLE,
20 Dec. 2025
Adverb
-
This was because revenues rose by $141 billion while outlays were $31 billion higher, precisely the same amount as the increase in interest payments.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
12 Jan. 2026
-
That is precisely what this pilot is doing.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
That electoral timeline was rigorously followed when Maduro’s predecessor, Hugo Chávez, died of cancer in 2013.—
Regina Garcia Cano,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Jan. 2026
-
That electoral timeline was rigorously followed when Maduro’s predecessor, Chavez, died of cancer in 2013.—
Megan Janetsky,
Fortune,
5 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Strictly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strictly. Accessed 22 Jan. 2026.
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