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Ryansamturner Posted 12 years ago
Grammar

Stringent or Astringent?

Hi,

If have a following sentence and I'm not sure which word to use.

'The hospital smelled or disinfectant along with other stringent cleaning products.'

I was using 'stringent' because I believe that it meant tough or strong, but would the word astringent be more appropriate?
  

Top answer

"stringent" is normally restricted to abstract things such as rules, circumstances, etc. It does not fit this situation. "astringent" seems a bit too technical and specific here.

— GPY

  • "stringent" is normally restricted to abstract things such as rules, circumstances, etc.
  • It does not fit this situation.
  • "astringent" seems a bit too technical and specific here.
  • You can of course just say "strong".
  • Typo: smelled of .
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2 Answers
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"stringent" is normally restricted to abstract things such as rules, circumstances, etc. It does not fit this situation. "astringent" seems a bit too technical and specific here. You can of course just say "strong".

Typo: smelled of.
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Thanks. Looking for a more elegant word than 'strong'.

'Powerful' perhaps?

Any more suggestions?
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