Stricture

/ˈstɹɪkt͡ʃəː/ · noun

Meaning

(usually in the plural) A rule restricting behaviour or action..

Definitions by Sense

1. (usually in the plural) A rule restricting behaviour or action.
2. A general state of restrictiveness on behavior, action, or ideology.
3. A sternly critical remark or review.
4. (medicine) Abnormal narrowing of a canal or duct in the body.
5. (obsolete) Strictness.
6. (obsolete) A stroke; a glance; a touch.
7. (linguistics) The degree of contact, in consonants.

Example Sentences

1931 Edgar Wallace: Again Sanders "That is a matter for you to discuss with the Government," said Sanders, in his iciest tone. "I am only authorized to collect twenty-eight thousand. I will note your strictures and report them to Whitehall." "I'm passing no strictures said the Major, hastily. He had been warned against Sanders...

To his eyes it had no attraction; it savoured of simony, and was likely to bring down upon him harder and more deserved strictures than any he had yet received: he positively declined to become vicar of Puddingdale under any circumstances.

Even venerable print publications seem to accept that old strictures no longer apply when they move online.

I just couldn't take the stricture of that place a single day more.

For many young people throughout Britain in the 1970s, Northern Soul became a truly alternative lifestyle with the rites and values of the scene replacing many of the traditional strictures of society.

When he read the poem to his parents, upon its conclusion, both were much impressed by it, though his father made severe strictures upon its lack of polish, its terminal inconcision, and its vagueness of thought.

Even in the brief moment of his entrance into the magnificence of Anthony Harding's home he had felt a strange little stricture of the throat—a choking, half-suffocating sensation.

a man of stricture and firm abstinence

Synonyms for stricture

Antonyms for stricture

Related Words

Word Forms

• strictures

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

Practice and Learn More

Frequently Asked Questions