strictly speaking

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.

“So, strictly speaking, the Heck language fits. But that could just show that the phrasing was not quite as tailored as it should have been.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026

While strictly speaking the events seem to contravene restrictions imposed on mass gatherings, they have been tolerated by the authorities.

From Barron's • Mar. 10, 2026

But in that sport we rarely use our feet, and we don’t, strictly speaking, play with a ball.

From Salon • Feb. 20, 2026

Although the equinox marks the point when day and night are "roughly equal", strictly speaking, in the United Kingdom there won't be exactly 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness on the equinox.

From BBC • Sep. 20, 2024

This was not, strictly speaking, true, but Harry decided against reminding her that Gabrielle had never been in real danger.

From "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" by J.K. Rowling