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Definitions

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.

Under the stringent National Security Act, a suspect can be detained for up to 12 months without being formally charged.

From Barron's • Mar. 14, 2026

Couple the above with ExpressVPN’s pretty stringent privacy policy, you begin to understand that ExpressVPN is more of an “old school” VPN provider, for which security and privacy are a VPN’s raison d’être.

From Salon • Mar. 13, 2026

The banks also have stringent capital requirements that keep them away from large exposures to the type of higher-rate middle-market loans the BDCs focus on.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 12, 2026

There is no universal SCR or percentage across the top leagues, but others have more stringent rules than the Premier League.

From BBC • Mar. 10, 2026

I should suffer often, no doubt, attached to him only in this capacity: my body would be under rather a stringent yoke, but my heart and mind would be free.

From "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë