stringent
adjective
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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
Example Sentences
Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 16 Sep. 2022 More stringent enforcement from parking control officers could result in widespread behavioral changes, Fuchs said. Ricardo Cano, San Francisco Chronicle, 16 Sep. 2022 Before the change, Michigan voters younger than 60 had to meet stringent criteria to vote absentee. Detroit Free Press, 16 Sep. 2022 Modern treatment and equipment will ensure the facility meets more stringent water quality standards, said Public Utilities Director Laura Briefer, and can address capacity needs of the city’s galloping growth for up to 75 years. Holly Mullen, The Salt Lake Tribune, 15 Sep. 2022 The country’s stringent and single-minded focus on avoiding and eliminating the coronavirus at all costs also explains Xi’s long absence from the global stage. Austin Ramzy, BostonGlobe.com, 14 Sep. 2022 But game developers often face significant user pushback over such stringent anti-cheat efforts. Kyle Orland, Ars Technica, 14 Sep. 2022 In Graham’s home state of South Carolina, legislation for a stringent ban may have failed at least in part because of a tactical move by Democrats in the state Senate. Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Sep. 2022 The bill from Graham is a more stringent version of a proposal introduced by him and other Republicans last year that would have banned abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 13 Sep. 2022 See More Word History
Latin stringent-, stringens, present participle of stringere
1736, in the meaning defined at sense 1
stringent
adjective
Synonyms & Similar Words
- strict
- rigorous
- exacting
- rigid
- uncompromising
- inflexible
- steadfast
- meticulous
- conscientious
- adamant
- hard-line
- brassbound
- scrupulous
- painstaking
- punctilious
- relentless
- determined
- cast-iron
- exact
- stubborn
- unbending
- close
- undeviating
- tough
- harsh
- tenacious
- severe
- fussy
- unflinching
- resolved
- dogged
- stern
- unrelenting
- demanding
- adamantine
- unyielding
- firm
- implacable
- austere
- unsparing
- hardened
- single-minded
- grim
- immovable
- flinty
- hard
- ironbound
- unappeasable
- hard-hearted
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- lax
- flexible
- loose
- relaxed
- compliant
- slack
- lenient
- mild
- gentle
- easy
- yielding
- pliant
- acquiescent
- tolerant
- soft
- pliable
- indulgent
- merciful
- kindly
- easygoing
- compromising
- negligent
- sloppy
- slipshod
- neglectful
- relenting
- slovenly
- remiss
- spoiling
- pampering
- unfussy
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of stringent are rigid, rigorous, and strict. While all these words mean "extremely severe or stern," stringent suggests severe, tight restriction or limitation.
The synonyms rigid and stringent are sometimes interchangeable, but rigid implies uncompromising inflexibility.
While the synonyms rigorous and stringent are close in meaning, rigorous implies the imposition of hardship and difficulty.
Although the words strict and stringent have much in common, strict emphasizes undeviating conformity to rules, standards, or requirements.