draconian

adjective

dra·​co·​ni·​an drā-ˈkō-nē-ən How to pronounce draconian (audio)
drə-
often capitalized
1
law : of, relating to, or characteristic of Draco or the severe code of laws held to have been framed by him
2
: cruel
also : severe
draconian littering fines

Did you know?

Draconian comes from Draco, the name of a 7th-century B.C. Athenian legislator who created a written code of law. Draco'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, became associated with especially 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 Trump's own verbal lapses on the trail while others call attention the GOP front-runner's anti-democratic comments and draconian policies on various topics. Phillip M. Bailey, USA TODAY, 6 Mar. 2024 The movement was quashed by authorities, and Iran’s parliament passed draconian new legislation imposing much harsher penalties on women who breach hijab rules. Rosa Rahimi, CNN, 28 Feb. 2024 The court ruling was only the latest in Alabama’s increasingly draconian restrictions on women’s reproductive health care, which experts say are driving away doctors, delaying treatment and endangering lives. Tim Craig, Washington Post, 24 Feb. 2024 The war was initially met with some protests inside Russia, but draconian legislation enacted within days of the invasion enabled the arrest of dissenters, many of whom ended up behind bars. Yuliya Talmazan, NBC News, 16 Feb. 2024 But with a draconian censorship law stifling criticism of the war, Mr. Nadezhdin’s supporters see backing him as the only legal way left in Russia to demonstrate their opposition to Mr. Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. Ivan Nechepurenko, New York Times, 27 Jan. 2024 Similarly, harming the supply chain by forcing draconian terms on your suppliers is a temporary measure that might improve your organization’s profitability. Mikhail Papovsky, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024 While there are certainly other states that have enacted their own draconian laws regarding reproductive freedom, Ainsworth says that Alabama is kind of in its own class. Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 23 Feb. 2024 For years, the most fearless critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin and the pervasive corruption of Putin’s inner circle, Navalny had been serving a draconian 19-year sentence for extremism. Andrei Soldatov, Foreign Affairs, 16 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'draconian.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin Dracon-, Draco, from Greek Drakōn Draco (Athenian lawgiver)

First Known Use

1775, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of draconian was in 1775

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Dictionary Entries Near draconian

Cite this Entry

“Draconian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/draconian. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

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