stringency

UK: /ˈstrɪndʒənsɪ/ US: (strin′jən sē)

Inflections of 'stringency' (n): npl: stringencies

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

strin•gen•cy  (strin′jən sē), n., pl. -cies. 

1. stringent character or condition:
   the stringency of poverty.
2. strictness;
   closeness;
   rigor:
   the stringency of school discipline.
3. tightness;
   straitness:
   stringency in the money market.

• string(ent) + -ency 1835–45

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

strin•gent /ˈstrɪndʒənt/   adj. 

1. very demanding, strict, or severe;
   harshly controlled:
   stringent traffic laws.

strin•gen•cy, n. [uncountable]
strin•gent•ly, adv. 

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

strin•gent  (strin′jənt), adj. 

1. rigorously binding or exacting;
   strict;
   severe:
   stringent laws.
2. compelling, constraining, or urgent:
   stringent necessity.
3. convincing or forcible:
   stringent arguments.
4. Business (of the money market) characterized by a shortage in money for loan or investment purposes;
   tight.

• Latin stringent- (stem of stringēns), present participle of stringere to draw tight; see -ent
• 1595–1605

strin′gent•ly, adv. 
Synonyms

• 1. restrictive. See strict. 
• 3. forceful, powerful, effective.

Antonyms

• 1. flexible.