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Draconian comes from Drakōn, the name (later Latinized as Draco) of a 7th-century B.C. Athenian legislator who created a written code of law. Drakōn’s code was intended to clarify existing laws, but its severity is what made it really memorable. According to the code, even minor offenses were punishable by death, and failure to pay one's debts could result in slavery. Draconian, as a result, is used especially for authoritative actions that are viewed as cruel or harsh.
Examples of draconian in a Sentence
The editorial criticizes the draconian measures being taken to control the spread of the disease.
Recent Examples on the Web
Putin’s increasingly nationalist, arguably draconian governing style has made the country downright hostile for non-Russians.
—
Ilan Berman, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025
That measure, which polls say is very unpopular with voters, enacted draconian cuts to health care spending to bankroll tax cuts for the wealthy and big corporations.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 4 Aug. 2025
When rich guys sprayed money at college football players through hoses of cash, brazenly ignoring the NCAA’s bloated rule book and draconian enforcement of its regulations about amateurism.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 July 2025
Opting to use draconian eye shadow was a no-brainer for Freedman and Zeta-Jones.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for draconian
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Ilan Berman, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025
That measure, which polls say is very unpopular with voters, enacted draconian cuts to health care spending to bankroll tax cuts for the wealthy and big corporations.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 4 Aug. 2025
When rich guys sprayed money at college football players through hoses of cash, brazenly ignoring the NCAA’s bloated rule book and draconian enforcement of its regulations about amateurism.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 July 2025
Opting to use draconian eye shadow was a no-brainer for Freedman and Zeta-Jones.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for draconian
Cite this Entry
“Draconian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/draconian. Accessed 23 Aug. 2025.
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