(a.) Binding strongly; making strict requirements; restrictive; rigid; severe; as, stringent rules\.

Spartan Spartanic acid acidulous acrid acrimonious astringent austere authoritarian binding biting bitter bleak caustic confining cutting demanding double-edged dour draconian drawing edged escharotic exacting exigent fierce grim hard harsh incisive inclement ironhanded keen meticulous mordacious mordant penetrating piercing poignant rigorist rigorous rough rugged scathing severe sharp stabbing stern stinging strict strident tart tough trenchant ungentle unsparing vehement violent virulent vitriolic