stringent

[strin-juhnt]

adjective

1. rigorously binding or exacting; strict; severe.

   stringent laws.

   Synonyms: restrictive
   Antonyms: flexible

2. compelling, constraining, or urgent.

   stringent necessity.

3. convincing or forcible.

   stringent arguments.

   Synonyms: effective, powerful, forceful

4. (of the money market) characterized by a shortage in money for loan or investment purposes; tight.

stringent

/ ˈstrɪndʒənt /

adjective

1. requiring strict attention to rules, procedure, detail, etc

2. finance characterized by or causing a shortage of credit, loan capital, etc

Other Word Forms

• stringency noun
• stringently adverb
• nonstringent adjective
• unstringent adjective
• unstringently adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of stringent¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Latin stringent- (stem of stringēns ), present participle of stringere “to draw tight”; -ent

Word History and Origins

Origin of stringent¹

C17: from Latin stringere to bind

Synonym Study

See strict.

Example Sentences

Inside, three glass-lined labs are linked by "clever interconnecting corridors that balance stringent security with transparency, putting science on display".

From BBC

They added: "Vendors are required to comply with Shein's code of conduct and stringent safety standards."

From BBC

Some executives say California’s high taxes, high cost of living and stringent environmental regulations hinder businesses trying to thrive.

From Los Angeles Times

He said he planned to get tough, citing his administration’s stringent enforcement on the nation’s southern border.

From Los Angeles Times

At that time, the court’s five conservative justices decided, over the stringent objections of its four liberal members, that partisan gerrymandering was a “political question beyond the reach of the federal courts.”

From Salon

Related Words

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