Synonyms of strict
72 similar words · 3 opposite words
Another word for strict is minute. Other synonyms of strict are rigorous, conscientious, scrupulous, particular and letter-perfect. The opposite of strict is lax.
Synonyms and similar words for strict
adjectiveStrained; drawn close; tight.
adjectiveExact; accurate; precise; rigorously particular.
- correct
- dead onVery accurate.
- thorough
- accurate
- careful
- surgical
- comprehensiveBroadly or completely covering; including a large proportion of something.
- solicitous
- conscientiousInfluenced by conscience; principled; governed by a strict regard to the dictates of conscience, or by the known or...
- exhaustive
- fastidious
- in-depthThorough; comprehensive.
- intensive
- letter-perfectExactly correct, correct in every letter; word-perfect.
- mindful
- minuteVery careful and exact, giving small details.
- particularConcerned with, or attentive to, details; minute; circumstantial; precise.
- polished
- precise
- painstakingCarefully attentive to details; studious; diligent in performing a process or procedure.
- punctiliousStrictly attentive to detail; meticulous or fastidious, particularly to codes or conventions.
- rigorousShowing, causing, or favoring rigour/rigor; scrupulously accurate or strict; thorough.
- root and branchTotal, thorough, sweeping, complete, radical, drastic.
- scrupulousExactly and carefully conducted.
- scrutinousThorough, careful, strict.
- sedulous
- groundly archaicFirmly grounded; solid; of education: complete, thorough, well-grounded.
adjectiveGoverned or governing by exact rules; observing exact rules; severe; rigorous.
- puritanicalPrecise in observance of legal or religious requirements; strict; overscrupulous; rigid (often used by way of reproach...
- nice obsoleteParticular as regards rules or qualities; strict.
adjectiveRigidly interpreted; exactly limited; confined; restricted.
adjectiveSevere in discipline.
- brutalHarsh; unrelenting.
- harshSevere or cruel.
- stringentStrict; binding strongly; making strict requirements; restrictive; rigid; severe.
- toughStrict, not lenient.
- callousEmotionally hardened; unfeeling and indifferent to the suffering/feelings of others.
- coldWithout compassion; heartless; ruthless.
- insensate formalUnfeeling, heartless, cruel, insensitive.
- hardhandedForceful, excessive, draconian, or abusive.
- cold-eyedThat looks coldly or dispassionately; having a fierce or aloof mein.
- cruelHarsh; severe.
- dour
- thick-skinned
- flint-heartedSynonym of hardhearted.
- forbiddingAppearing to be threatening, unfriendly or potentially unpleasant.
- frostyHaving an aloof or inhospitable manner.
- grimDismal and gloomy, cold and forbidding.
- hardSevere, harsh, unfriendly, brutal.
- hard-boiledOf a person, especially a detective, callous and unsentimental.
- hardenedUnfeeling; pitiless; callous.
- hardheartedLacking in compassion; cold and pitiless.
- heartlessWithout feeling, emotion, or concern for others; uncaring; cruel.
- humorlessLacking humor or levity; serious; not funny, amusing, amused, or lighthearted.
- icyCharacterized by coldness of manner; frigid; cold.
- iron-heartedSynonym of hardhearted.
- insensitiveNot expressing normal emotional feelings; cold; tactless; undiplomatic.
- marble-heartedEmotionally cold, cruel, and unfeeling.
- rockheartedSynonym of hardhearted.
- severeStrict or harsh.
- stern
- stoneheartedSynonym of hardhearted.
- stonyOf a person, lacking warmth and emotion.
- stonyheartedCruel, compassionless, discompassionate, as if having a heart made of stone.
- unsympatheticNot sympathetic; ill-disposed.
- unmovedNot sympathetic; uncaring.
Opposite of strict
adjectiveSevere in discipline.
- lenientLax; not strict; tolerant of dissent or deviation.
- laxLenient and allowing for deviation; not strict.
- permissive
Meaning of strict
- adjective Strained; drawn close; tight.
- adjective Tense; not relaxed.
- adjective Exact; accurate; precise; rigorously particular.
strict in other languages
Questions about synonyms of strict
- What is another word for strict?
- Strict has 72 synonyms on Word.ws, such as minute, rigorous, conscientious, scrupulous, particular, letter-perfect, in-depth and comprehensive.
- What is the opposite of strict?
- The opposite of strict is lax.
- What does strict mean?
- Strict means strained; drawn close; tight.
Source and license
Adapted from Wiktionary: strict (page history and authors) and the entries of the words listed. Text available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 license. Word.ws grouped the synonyms and antonyms by meaning and added links. Wiktionary data of 2026-09-02.
Last updated:
Cite this page: “Synonyms of strict.” Word.ws, https://word.ws/synonyms/strict. Based on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.