STRICTLY Synonyms: 11 Similar and Opposite Words

strictly

adverb

Definition of strictly

as in carefully

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

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of strictly Photography and video are strictly forbidden inside, although a photo opp is available. — Hali Smith october 17, Idaho Statesman, 17 Oct. 2026 The rule wasn’t strictly enforced, of course, but her parents were trying to manage a household where one upset child could set off several others. — Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2026 The Affordable Care Act was a strictly partisan piece at the end, not because people didn’t try, like you and others, to bring folks together. — John E. McDonough, STAT, 16 Oct. 2026 Like the other brands, Esci will launch strictly direct-to-consumer, at least for the foreseeable future. — Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026 That’s already one more creature than the metaphor strictly needs, but Duffield makes the encounter haunting. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 14 Oct. 2026 The league suspended Greenlaw, determining his aggressive post-game behavior violated Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1(b), which strictly prohibits the use of abusive, threatening, or insulting language or gestures toward game officials. — Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026 Our list of broader comparisons, though, is strictly made up of competing Googlebooks, as listed above. — Joe Osborne, PC Magazine, 11 Oct. 2026 The single largest contribution that Suffolk made to my life, though, was strictly nonacademic. — David Shribman, Christian Science Monitor, 10 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for strictly

Adverb

Just be sure to check your plants carefully for pests, like scale, before bringing them back inside in fall.

— Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 16 Oct. 2026
Families with children should also check carefully that the kids meet the ride’s height and restraint requirements, which are designed to ensure that the safety equipment fits correctly.

— Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of carefully

Adverb

Even though the category is rigidly defined, there are differences in style, cask finishes, alcohol content, and even mashbill to take into account when searching for this quintessentially American whiskey.

— Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 8 Oct. 2026
Are the Norwegian authorities concerned for children’s safety — or are they offended by this family’s rigidly patriarchal beliefs, which include intolerance toward homosexuality?

— Tim Grierson, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of rigidly

Adverb

Opponents worry that the changes would mean less money getting invested in rural housing, precisely when housing affordability issues are hitting those areas the hardest.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026
This is precisely the personal-agent-as-buyer scenario this piece is built around, now shipping to consumers.

— Richard Freisberg, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of precisely

Adverb

That law made refugee applications some of the most rigorously scrutinized within the immigration system.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 15 Oct. 2026
This is the premise of FORM, a $50 million Wellcome Leap program designed to rigorously investigate links between the early life gut microbiome and neurodevelopmental challenges, including autism with high support needs.

— Holly Baines, STAT, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of rigorously

Browse Nearby Words

strict

strictly

strictness

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“Strictly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strictly. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of strictly

adverb

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