stringent

/ˈstrɪndʒənt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈstrɪndʒənt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈstrin-jənt/ (ame, mw)

stringent — adjective

  • stringentpositive
  • more stringentcomparative
  • most stringentsuperlative

1. used to describe rules, standards, or laws that are extremely strict and must be

1.形容詞B2
釋義

used to describe rules, standards, or laws that are extremely strict and must be followed exactly, allowing very little freedom or flexibility.

例句

The company introduced stringent new safety rules after the factory accident.

collocation: stringent + safety rules / standards

Talia's application was rejected because the university has stringent entry requirements.

同義詞
  • strict

    the most common and general term; less formal than stringent

  • rigorous

    emphasises thoroughness and precision rather than severity

  • severe

    can imply harsh punishment or consequences beyond simple rule-following

  • tough

    informal; suggests difficulty that is demanding but fair

反義詞
  • lenient

    allowing more freedom and flexibility in applying rules

  • relaxed

    informal; suggests few or loosely enforced rules

用法筆記

Frequently used before nouns like rules, standards, requirements, and regulations. Less commonly used after a linking verb (e.g. 'the rules are stringent') — the attributive position is far more typical in formal writing.

常見錯誤

❌My parents have stringent rules about my bedtime.
✅My parents have strict rules about my bedtime.
💡'Stringent' sounds overly formal for everyday family situations; reserve it for official, institutional, or professional contexts.

2. relating to a government's policy of keeping a tight limit on the supply of mone

2.形容詞C1
釋義

relating to a government's policy of keeping a tight limit on the supply of money, usually by cutting spending and raising interest rates so that less money is available for borrowing.

例句

The government introduced stringent fiscal measures to control inflation.

collocation: stringent + fiscal measures / policy

During the recession, banks adopted stringent lending policies that made loans hard to get.

同義詞
  • tight

    more common in informal or journalistic economic writing; 'tight credit' means the same as 'stringent credit'

  • austere

    emphasises hardship from reduced government spending, especially in social programmes

  • restrictive

    focuses on the limiting effect rather than the severity of the policy

反義詞
  • expansionary

    describes policy that increases the money supply and encourages borrowing

  • loose

    informal term for relaxed monetary or credit conditions

用法筆記

Almost always used attributively before nouns in economic contexts (stringent policy, stringent controls, stringent measures). Common collocates include fiscal policy, monetary policy, credit controls, lending criteria, and budget restrictions.

常見錯誤

❌The store has a stringent return policy.
✅The store has a strict return policy.
💡In the economic sense, 'stringent' should be paired with government or central bank policy, not individual business practices.