stricter

IPA/strɪkt/
KK[strˈɪktɚ]IPA/strɪkt/

stricter — adjective

  • stricterpositive
  • stricterercomparative
  • stricterestsuperlative

1. Used to describe rules, punishments, or people in authority that are more severe

1.adjectiveB1
Definition

Used to describe rules, punishments, or people in authority that are more severe than before or than others — giving less freedom and punishing disobedience more harshly.

Example

Sirin's parents are much stricter than her friends' parents about homework deadlines.

stricter than + about + noun

After the fire, the school introduced stricter safety rules for the science lab.

introduced stricter [rules]

Common collocations
  • stricter rules
  • stricter laws
  • stricter controls
  • stricter discipline
  • stricter standards
Synonyms
  • tougher

    more informal, often about rules or situations rather than people

  • harsher

    implies severity and lack of kindness

  • firmer

    suggests strength and steadiness rather than punishment

Antonyms
  • more lenient

    gives more freedom and lighter punishment

  • looser

    less tightly controlled; more informal

Grammar Patterns

stricter than [noun phrase]

stricter about [noun/gerund]

stricter with [person]

Usage Note

Commonly used with 'about' (stricter about something), 'with' (stricter with someone), and 'than' (stricter than someone/something).

Common Mistakes

My boss is more strict than my previous boss.
My boss is stricter than my previous boss.
The standard comparative of 'strict' is 'stricter', though 'more strict' is also used informally.

2. More accurate and detailed, allowing no room for mistakes or variation from what

2.adjectiveB2
Definition

More accurate and detailed, allowing no room for mistakes or variation from what is considered correct. Used when talking about definitions, translations, measurements, or standards of correctness.

Example

A stricter translation of the French phrase would use 'yearn for' rather than 'miss.'

stricter translation of [phrase]

The Oxford Dictionary defines 'proof' more strictly than most people do — requiring actual physical evidence, not just a story.

Common collocations
  • stricter definition
  • stricter translation
  • stricter standard
  • stricter interpretation
  • stricter reading
Synonyms
  • more accurate

    focuses on truth and correctness rather than narrowness

  • more precise

    emphasises exactness and attention to fine details

  • tighter

    suggests less margin for error; slightly informal

Antonyms
  • looser

    allows more variation, less exact

  • broader

    covers more possibilities, less narrow in meaning

Grammar Patterns

a stricter [noun] of [something]

stricter than [alternative]

Usage Note

Often paired with nouns like 'definition,' 'translation,' 'reading,' 'interpretation,' or 'standard' — the stricter version is the one that allows fewer exceptions.

Common Mistakes

This dictionary has more strict definitions.
This dictionary has stricter definitions.
Use the -er form rather than 'more strict' in formal writing.

3. Describing a person or community that more closely follows the teachings, belief

3.adjectiveB2
Definition

Describing a person or community that more closely follows the teachings, beliefs, or customs of their own religion, philosophy, or moral code — allowing fewer exceptions than others in matters of personal conviction.

Example

The monastery follows a stricter version of the tradition than the village temple does.

follows a stricter version of [tradition]

Maeve's grandparents were stricter about religious practices than her parents are.

stricter about [practice]

Common collocations
  • stricter observance
  • stricter interpretation
  • stricter adherence
  • stricter view
  • stricter about practices
Synonyms
  • more devout

    specifically about religious faith, not general rules

  • more orthodox

    indicates following the traditional, accepted form of a belief

  • more rigorous

    suggests thoroughness and discipline in following rules

Antonyms
  • more relaxed

    less concerned with exact following of rules

  • more liberal

    allows wider interpretation of beliefs and practices

Grammar Patterns

stricter about [belief/practice]

stricter than [person/group]

stricter in [something]

Usage Note

Unlike sense 1 (RULES & DISCIPLINE), which is about enforcing rules on others, this sense describes personally adhering to a belief system or moral code.

Common Mistakes

He is stricter of his beliefs.
He is stricter about his beliefs.
Use 'about,' not 'of', after 'strict.'

4. Describing the narrowest or most literal meaning of a term, as distinct from its

4.adjectiveC1
Definition

Describing the narrowest or most literal meaning of a term, as distinct from its broader everyday use — covering fewer cases than a looser interpretation would.

Example

In the stricter sense of the word, a 'cereal' must come from a grass plant.

in the stricter sense of [word]

An entomologist uses a stricter definition of 'bug' than most people — limiting it to insects of the order Hemiptera.

stricter definition of [word]

Common collocations
  • stricter sense
  • strictest sense
  • strictly speaking
Synonyms
  • more literal

    focuses on the most basic, non-figurative meaning

  • narrower

    implies a more restricted scope of meaning

Antonyms
  • broader

    covers more situations, including figurative uses

  • looser

    less exact, more inclusive in meaning

Grammar Patterns

in the stricter sense

the stricter sense of [word]

strictest sense

Usage Note

Almost always appears in set phrases like 'in the strictest sense' or 'strictly speaking.' The superlative 'strictest' is more common than the comparative 'stricter' in this sense.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All four words describe something that allows less freedom or comfort, but they differ in emphasis. 'Stricter' focuses on rules and enforcement — a stricter teacher demands exact obedience. 'Tougher' is more informal and often refers to situations: a tougher exam is harder to pass. 'Harsher' emphasises unpleasantness: a harsher winter is colder, and harsher criticism is more painful. 'Firmer' suggests strength and steadiness rather than punishment: a firmer mattress gives better support, and a firmer tone of voice shows confidence. 'More severe' is the most formal and can describe both rules and physical conditions: a more severe penalty carries heavier consequences. In everyday speech, 'stricter' is the most common choice when talking about people in authority and the rules they enforce.

tougher ↗harsher ↗firmer ↗more severe ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • stricter rules
  • stricter laws
  • stricter standards
  • stricter controls
  • stricter discipline
  • stricter penalties
  • stricter measures

Adverbs

  • much stricter
  • far stricter
  • slightly stricter
  • even stricter
  • considerably stricter

Phrases

  • stricter than ever
  • stricter by far
  • stricter and stricter

Prepositions

  • stricter about
  • stricter with
  • stricter than
  • stricter in

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

The word 'strict' comes from the Latin 'strictus,' meaning 'drawn tight' or 'narrow,' the past participle of 'stringere' (to draw tight, bind). It entered English in the late 15th century through Old French 'strict' with the physical meaning of 'narrow' or 'tight.' By the 16th century it had developed the figurative senses of 'precise' and 'severe in discipline.' The comparative form 'stricter' appeared in English soon after. The related word 'stringent' comes from the same Latin root 'stringere.'

First known use

15th century

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 5