stringent

[strin-juhnt] / ˈstrɪn dʒənt /

ADJECTIVE

rigid, tight

Synonyms

STRONGEST

binding demanding draconian exacting forceful harsh inflexible ironclad rigorous severe stiff strict tough

WEAK

acrimonious brick-wall by the book by the numbers compelling confining convincing dead set on drawing dyed-in-the-wool hard hard-nosed iron-fisted picky poignant powerful rough set unpermissive valid

Antonyms

STRONGEST

amenable calm easy easygoing facile flexible gentle kind lenient mild nice pliable pliant soft weak willing yielding

WEAK

inexact tolerant

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“Since 1976, air conditioning systems changed and agencies around the world have more stringent cleaning and hygiene standards for cooling towers and large-scale air-conditioning systems,” the CDC says.

From Los Angeles Times • May 18, 2026

"With no cases or symptoms among them and our stringent monitoring and isolation measures, the risk to the public remains extremely low," she added.

From BBC • May 11, 2026

While never mentioning China by name, the ministers clearly took aim at Beijing and its stringent export controls on rare earths in their statement, after two days of meetings in France.

From Barron's • May 6, 2026

But the Emirati export powerhouse—untethered from OPEC’s stringent quota system—could capitalize by flooding the market with crude.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 29, 2026

Yet she decided that she would not permit this new and stringent law to interfere with her plan to keep guiding slaves out of Dorchester County.

From "Harriet Tubman: Conductor on the Underground Railroad" by Ann Petry

Vocabulary lists containing stringent

Essential Academic Vocabulary for High School Students, List 2

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Wonder

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Vocabulary from the Third and Final Presidential Debate, October 19, 2016

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