Cryptic crossword clue
Extreme strictness is grim or nasty 8

The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word RIGORISM

I've seen this crossword clue in The Daily Telegraph
R
I
G
O
R
I
S
M

Buddy explains!

The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.
This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.

What does RIGORISM mean?

RIGORISM noun
  1. Strictness (in interpreting or enforcing a rule)
  2. In Roman Catholic moral theology, the doctrine that in a case of doubt between right and wrong one should take the safer course, i.e. the one in verbal accordance with the law.

Latest crossword clues with full explanations