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."
Examples of stringent in a Sentence
Sagar Gupta,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2026
The bill would impose stringent voting rules, including eliminating mail ballots, with some exceptions, and set voter ID and proof-of-citizenship requirements.
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Melissa Quinn,
CBS News,
29 June 2026
While many of the most popular national parks have stringent pet restrictions, plenty of others welcome dogs with a handful of easy-to-follow rules.
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Rebecca R. Norris,
USA Today,
29 June 2026
Beyond France, Germany has called for stringent policies for textiles under the EU’s Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation, which aims to improve the sustainability and circularity of products sold in the EU.
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Rhonda Richford,
Footwear News,
29 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for stringent
Cite this Entry
“Stringent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stringent. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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stringent
adjective
