Synonyms of strictness

strictness

noun

as in severity

the quality or state of being demanding or unyielding (as in discipline or criticism)

his stoic temperament suited him well to the demands and strictness of military life

Synonyms & Similar Words

• severity
• rigidity
• stringency
• sternness
• inflexibility
• rigidness
• hardness
• harshness
• rigor
• rigorousness
• exactingness
• callousness
• implacability
• obduracy
• gruffness
• asceticism
• monasticism
• steadfastness
• dourness
• pitilessness
• resolve
• hard-heartedness
• firmness
• obstinacy
• stubbornness
• determination
• obdurateness
• austerity
• austereness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• flexibility
• gentleness
• tolerance
• patience
• tenderness
• laxness
• softness
• indulgence
• kindness
• forbearance
• mildness
• willingness
• compliance
• responsiveness
• lenience
• pliability
• pliancy

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of strictness

Her clever approach looks at a large number of middle schools in Norway, ranking their divergent smartphone policies across a range from strictness to leniency. — Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026

But their specific details and strictness have modulated between political administrations in recent years. — Rachel Frazin, The Hill, 1 June 2026

The ubiquity and strictness of regulation has real business impacts. — Francesca Cassidy, Fortune, 31 Mar. 2026

His mother’s strictness helped Harewood avoid getting caught up in selling drugs. — Raisa Habersham, Miami Herald, 16 Jan. 2026

The attorneys speaking with all pointed out that this regulation is in its early days, and the strictness or severity of state reviews of health care private equity transactions is yet to be determined. — Aman Kidwai, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025

Still, states vary in their strictness. — Rebecca Schneid, Time, 31 Aug. 2025