Strictly — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective adverb /ˈstrikt/

Meaning & Definition of Strictly

Strictly (adjective)

  1. stringent in requirement or control
  2. severe in discipline
  3. inflexibly maintained or adhered to

Strictly (adverb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. without any relaxation of standards or precision

    "strictly speaking, Columbus did not discover America—the people living there had long known about it"

    "the rules must be strictly obeyed"

    similar: exactly, precisely, rigidly, rigorously
    related: carefully, conscientiously, meticulously, scrupulously
    opposite: imprecisely, inexactly, loosely

Related Entry: Strict (adjective)

Strict is a different word from Strictly. The synonyms below are for strict, not for strictly.

  1. following an original exactly

    "not a strict translation, because a lot of the humor is in the wordplay"

    similar: accurate, authentic, exact, faithful, precise, right, true, veracious
    related: lifelike, realistic, careful, conscientious, meticulous, punctilious, scrupulous, authoritative, bona fide, genuine, real, veridical
    opposite: corrupt, corrupted, false, imprecise, inaccurate, inauthentic, inexact, loose, unfaithful
    near: careless, slack, slipshod, slovenly, erroneous, incorrect, invalid, off, unsound, untrue, untruthful, wrong

  2. given to exacting standards of discipline and self-restraint

    "that piano teacher is notoriously strict, but students make great strides under her tutelage"

    similar: austere, authoritarian, flinty, hard, harsh, heavy-handed, ramrod, rigid, rigorous, severe, stern, tough
    related: demanding, exacting, uncharitable, unforgiving, adamant, adamantine, callous, hardened, hard-hearted, hard-line, immovable, implacable, inflexible, merciless, ossified, pitiless, relentless, rock-ribbed, stiff, unbending, uncompromising, unrelenting, unsparing, unyielding, dour, gruff, ascetic, monastic, monkish, browbeating, bullying, determined, firm, resolved, single-minded, steadfast, unflinching, dogged, intractable, obstinate
    opposite: clement, forbearing, gentle, indulgent, lax, lenient, tolerant
    near: easy, easygoing, laid-back, undemanding, charitable, kind, merciful, mild, patient, soft, softhearted, accepting, compromising, yielding, responsive, willing, acquiescent, agreeable, amenable, complaisant, compliant, flexible, pliable, pliant

  3. not allowing for any exceptions or loosening of standards

    "on a strict diet"

    "strict adherence to the letter of the law"

    similar: brassbound, cast-iron, exacting, hard-line, inflexible, rigid, rigorous, stringent, uncompromising
    related: close, conscientious, exact, fussy, meticulous, painstaking, punctilious, scrupulous, undeviating, adamant, adamantine, determined, dogged, firm, relentless, resolved, single-minded, steadfast, stubborn, tenacious, unbending, unflinching, immovable, implacable, unappeasable, unrelenting, unsparing, unyielding, austere, demanding, flinty, grim, hard, hardened, hard-hearted, harsh, ironbound, severe, stern, tough
    opposite: flexible, lax, loose, relaxed, slack
    near: acquiescent, compliant, compromising, pliable, pliant, relenting, yielding, easy, easygoing, gentle, indulgent, kindly, lenient, merciful, mild, pampering, soft, spoiling, tolerant, neglectful, negligent, remiss, slipshod, sloppy, slovenly, unfussy

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Strictly

The most common words with a similar meaning to Strictly:

exactly, precisely, rigidly, rigorously

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Strictly

Words with the opposite meaning of Strictly:

imprecisely, inexactly, loosely

Related Words for Strictly

carefully, conscientiously, meticulously, scrupulously

Word Forms of Strictly

Derived words: strictly (adverb), strictness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Strictly

Middle English stricte, from Latin strictus, from past participle of stringere to bind tight strain

First known use: 15th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Strictly

Frequently Asked Questions about Strictly

What does "Strictly" mean?

"Strictly" means stringent in requirement or control. As an an adjective and an adverb, it is defined as: stringent in requirement or control.

What is another word for "Strictly"?

Other words for "Strictly" include exactly, precisely, rigidly and rigorously. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Strictly" you intend.

What is the opposite of "Strictly"?

Antonyms of "Strictly" include imprecisely, inexactly and loosely.

How do you use "Strictly" in a sentence?

Examples of "Strictly" in a sentence: "strictly speaking, Columbus did not discover America—the people living there had long known about it"; "the rules must be strictly obeyed".

Is "Strictly" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Strictly" can be used as an adjective and an adverb, depending on the context.

Is "Strictly" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Strictly" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Strictly"?

"Strictly" is pronounced /ˈstrikt/.

What is the origin of the word "Strictly"?

"Strictly" comes from Middle English stricte, from Latin strictus, from past participle of stringere to bind tight strain. First known use: 15th century.