strict

Adjective

strict (comparative stricter, superlative strictest)

1. Strained; drawn close; tight.
   • strict embrace
   • strict ligature

   Synonyms:

   taut, tensioned, nonslack, strained, stretched, tense, tight

2. Tense; not relaxed.
   • strict fiber
3. Exact; accurate; precise; rigorously particular.
   • to keep strict watch
   • to pay strict attention

   Synonyms:

   correct, dead on, thorough, accurate, careful, surgical, comprehensive, solicitous, conscientious, exhaustive

4. Governed or governing by exact rules; observing exact rules; severe; rigorous.
   • they are very strict in observing the Sabbath
   • No one, however, would have anything to do with him, as Mr. Keeson's orders in those respects were very strict ; he had often threatened any one of his employés with instant dismissal if he found him in company with one of these touts.1904–1905, Baroness Orczy [i.e., Emma Orczy], “The Hocussing of Cigarette”, in The Case of Miss Elliott, London: T[homas] Fisher Unwin, published 1905, →OCLC; republished as popular edition, London...

   Synonyms:

   nice, precise, puritanical

5. Rigidly interpreted; exactly limited; confined; restricted.
   • to understand words in a strict sense

   Synonyms:

   narrow, proper

6. Upright, or straight and narrow; — said of the shape of the plants or their flower clusters.
7. Severe in discipline.
   • Our teacher was always very strict. If we didn't behave, we would get punished.
   • It was a very strict lesson.

   Synonyms:

   brutal, harsh, stringent, tough, callous, cold, insensate, hardhanded, cold-eyed, cruel

   Antonyms:

   lenient, lax, permissive

8. Irreflexive; if the described object is defined to be reflexive, that condition is overridden and replaced with irreflexive.