Discipline vs. Strict — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 21, 2024
Discipline involves training to improve strength or self-control, while strict implies rigid adherence to rules with little flexibility.
Difference Between Discipline and Strict
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Discipline focuses on training and control to instill habits and improve behavior, emphasizing personal or organizational growth. Whereas, strictness is characterized by firm enforcement of rules, often with a focus on immediate compliance and less on long-term development.
In the realm of parenting, discipline might include a range of strategies to teach children about consequences and self-control, tailored to their developmental needs. On the other hand, a strict parenting style typically involves setting explicit rules and expecting unwavering obedience, with less emphasis on explaining the reasoning behind the rules.
In educational settings, discipline can be seen in structured learning environments that foster skills like time management and critical thinking. Whereas, strict educational environments often focus heavily on adherence to rules and schedules, potentially at the expense of creativity and individual student needs.
In the workplace, discipline is necessary for maintaining order and productivity, often encouraging employees to develop self-regulation and efficiency. Strictness in a workplace, however, might manifest as rigid adherence to protocols and a high level of oversight, which can sometimes stifle innovation and personal initiative.
Military training is an example where both discipline and strictness are integral, yet their roles differ: discipline prepares soldiers for the mental and physical challenges of their duties, while strictness ensures operational effectiveness and safety under severe conditions.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Training to improve strength or self-control
Rigid adherence to rules
Focus
Long-term behavior improvement and personal growth
Immediate compliance and control
Flexibility
More flexible, adaptable to individual needs
Less flexible, often rigid
Application Examples
Educational methods, parenting styles, personal habits
Parenting rules, school policies, workplace rules
Outcome
Aimed at developing self-regulation and responsibility
Aimed at ensuring order and immediate obedience
Compare with Definitions
Discipline
Controlled behavior resulting from disciplinary training.
His discipline was evident in his meticulous attention to detail.
Strict
Severe in judgment or application.
The judge was known for his strict sentences.
Discipline
To train by instruction and practice.
The coach disciplined the team to enhance their performance.
Strict
Stringently exact or precise.
She followed a strict keto diet without any deviations.
Discipline
A branch of knowledge, typically one studied in higher education.
She specialized in the discipline of biochemistry.
Strict
Firmly controlled or enforced.
He maintained strict control over the finances.
Discipline
Training intended to correct or improve behavior.
The teacher's discipline in the classroom helped students focus better.
Strict
Not deviating or varying.
The scientist adhered to a strict protocol in his experiments.
Discipline
A system of rules governing conduct.
Military discipline is strict and enforced without exception.
Strict
Rigorously binding or exacting; stringent.
The new laws are stricter than the old ones.
Discipline
Discipline is action or inaction that is regulated to be in accordance (or to achieve accord) with a particular system of governance. Discipline is commonly applied to regulating human and animal behavior to its society or environment it belongs.
Strict
In mathematical writing, the term strict refers to the property of excluding equality and equivalence and often occurs in the context of inequality and monotonic functions. It is often attached to a technical term to indicate that the exclusive meaning of the term is to be understood.
Discipline
Training expected to produce a specific character or pattern of behavior, especially training that produces moral or mental improvement
Was raised in the strictest discipline.
Strict
Demanding that rules concerning behaviour are obeyed and observed
A strict upbringing
My father was very strict
Discipline
Control obtained by enforcing compliance or order
Military discipline.
Strict
(of a person) following rules or beliefs exactly
A strict vegetarian
Discipline
Controlled behavior resulting from disciplinary training; self-control
Dieting takes a lot of discipline.
Strict
Exact in correspondence or adherence to something; not allowing or admitting deviation or relaxation
A strict interpretation of the law
Discipline
A state of order based on submission to rules and authority
A teacher who demanded discipline in the classroom.
Strict
Rigorous in the imposition of discipline
A strict parent.
Discipline
Punishment intended to correct or train
Subjected to harsh discipline.
Strict
Conforming completely to established rule, principle, or condition
A strict vegetarian.
Discipline
A set of rules or methods, as those regulating the practice of a church or monastic order.
Strict
Requiring close observance or demanding in expectations
Strict standards.
Discipline
A branch of knowledge or teaching
The discipline of mathematics.
Strict
Carefully maintained or observed
Strict silence.
Strict loyalty.
Discipline
To train by instruction and practice, as in following rules or developing self-control
The sergeant disciplined the recruits to become soldiers.
Strict
Not loose or vague; exact or precise
A strict definition.
Discipline
To punish in order to gain control or enforce obedience.
Strict
(Botany) Stiff, narrow, and upright.
Discipline
To impose order on
Needed to discipline their study habits.
Strict
Strained; drawn close; tight.
Strict embrace
Strict ligature
Discipline
A controlled behaviour; self-control.
Strict
Tense; not relaxed.
Strict fiber
Discipline
An enforced compliance or control.
Strict
Exact; accurate; precise; rigorously particular.
To keep strict watch
To pay strict attention
Discipline
A systematic method of obtaining obedience.
Strict
Governed or governing by exact rules; observing exact rules; severe; rigorous.
They are very strict in observing the Sabbath
Discipline
A state of order based on submission to authority.
Strict
Rigidly interpreted; exactly limited; confined; restricted.
To understand words in a strict sense
Discipline
A set of rules regulating behaviour.
Strict
(botany) Upright, or straight and narrow; — said of the shape of the plants or their flower clusters.
Discipline
A punishment to train or maintain control.
Strict
Severe in discipline.
Our teacher was always very strict. If we didn't behave, we would get punished.
It was a very strict lesson.
Discipline
A specific branch of knowledge or learning.
Strict
Irreflexive; if the described object is defined to be reflexive, that condition is overridden and replaced with irreflexive.
Discipline
A category in which a certain art, sport or other activity belongs.
Strict
Strained; drawn close; tight; as, a strict embrace; a strict ligature.
Discipline
(transitive) To train someone by instruction and practice.
Strict
Tense; not relaxed; as, a strict fiber.
Discipline
(transitive) To teach someone to obey authority.
Strict
Exact; accurate; precise; rigorously nice; as, to keep strict watch; to pay strict attention.
It shall be still in strictest measure.
Discipline
(transitive) To punish someone in order to (re)gain control.
Strict
Governed or governing by exact rules; observing exact rules; severe; rigorous; as, very strict in observing the Sabbath.
Discipline
(transitive) To impose order on someone.
Strict
Rigidly; interpreted; exactly limited; confined; restricted; as, to understand words in a strict sense.
Discipline
The treatment suited to a disciple or learner; education; development of the faculties by instruction and exercise; training, whether physical, mental, or moral.
Wife and children are a kind of discipline of humanity.
Discipline aims at the removal of bad habits and the substitution of good ones, especially those of order, regularity, and obedience.
Strict
Upright, or straight and narrow; - said of the shape of the plants or their flower clusters.
And rules as strict his labored work confine,As if the Stagirite o'erlooked each line.
Soon moved with touch of blame, thus Eve: -"What words have passed thy lips, Adam severe!"
Discipline
Training to act in accordance with established rules; accustoming to systematic and regular action; drill.
Their wildness lose, and, quitting nature's part,Obey the rules and discipline of art.
Strict
(of rules) stringently enforced;
Hard-and-fast rules
Discipline
Subjection to rule; submissiveness to order and control; habit of obedience.
The most perfect, who have their passions in the best discipline, are yet obliged to be constantly on their guard.
Strict
Rigidly accurate; allowing no deviation from a standard;
Rigorous application of the law
A strict vegetarian
Discipline
Severe training, corrective of faults; instruction by means of misfortune, suffering, punishment, etc.
A sharp discipline of half a century had sufficed to educate us.
Strict
Incapable of compromise or flexibility
Discipline
Correction; chastisement; punishment inflicted by way of correction and training.
Giving her the discipline of the strap.
Strict
Not indulgent;
Strict parents
Discipline
The subject matter of instruction; a branch of knowledge.
Strict
Unsparing and uncompromising in discipline or judgment;
A parent severe to the pitch of hostility
A hefty six-footer with a rather severe mien
A strict disciplinarian
A Spartan upbringing
Discipline
The enforcement of methods of correction against one guilty of ecclesiastical offenses; reformatory or penal action toward a church member.
Strict
Severe and unremitting in making demands;
An exacting instructor
A stern disciplinarian
Strict standards
Discipline
Self-inflicted and voluntary corporal punishment, as penance, or otherwise; specifically, a penitential scourge.
Discipline
A system of essential rules and duties; as, the Romish or Anglican discipline.
Discipline
To educate; to develop by instruction and exercise; to train.
Discipline
To accustom to regular and systematic action; to bring under control so as to act systematically; to train to act together under orders; to teach subordination to; to form a habit of obedience in; to drill.
Ill armed, and worse disciplined.
His mind . . . imperfectly disciplined by nature.
Discipline
To improve by corrective and penal methods; to chastise; to correct.
Has he disciplined Aufidius soundly?
Discipline
To inflict ecclesiastical censures and penalties upon.
Discipline
A branch of knowledge;
In what discipline is his doctorate?
Teachers should be well trained in their subject
Anthropology is the study of human beings
Discipline
A system of rules of conduct or method of practice;
He quickly learned the discipline of prison routine
For such a plan to work requires discipline
Discipline
The trait of being well behaved;
He insisted on discipline among the troops
Discipline
Training to improve strength or self-control
Discipline
The act of punishing;
The offenders deserved the harsh discipline they received
Discipline
Train by instruction and practice; especially to teach self-control;
Parents must discipline their children
Is this dog trained?
Discipline
Punish in order to gain control or enforce obedience;
The teacher disciplined the pupils rather frequently
Common Curiosities
Can a workplace be disciplined but not strict?
Yes, a workplace can promote discipline through self-management and personal growth without being overly strict about rules and regulations.
How does strictness differ from discipline in parenting?
Strictness in parenting focuses on adherence to rules, whereas discipline involves teaching and guiding children to understand and manage their behavior.
What is the main goal of discipline?
The main goal of discipline is to develop self-control and responsible behavior.
Which is more effective in long-term behavior change, discipline or strictness?
Discipline is generally more effective for long-term behavior change because it teaches self-regulation rather than enforcing compliance.
Are discipline and strictness mutually exclusive?
No, discipline and strictness can coexist, but they focus on different aspects of control and development.
Is strictness necessary in all forms of discipline?
Strictness is not necessary in all forms of discipline, as discipline often relies more on guidance and personal growth than on rigid control.
How do discipline and strictness affect creativity?
Discipline can enhance creativity by providing a structured approach to exploration, whereas excessive strictness might limit creative opportunities by discouraging deviation from norms.
What role does flexibility play in discipline?
Flexibility in discipline allows adaptations to suit individual needs and situations, fostering more effective and sustainable behavioral changes.
How do schools balance discipline and strictness?
Schools balance discipline and strictness by integrating rules with educational strategies that foster both order and personal growth.
Can strictness be seen as a negative trait?
Excessive strictness can be viewed negatively if it stifles personal freedom, creativity, or growth.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
