draconian

adjective

dra·​co·​ni·​an drā-ˈkō-nē-ən 

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

This, too, was the outcome of years of fighting after voters in 1994 approved the nation’s most draconian measures against the undocumented, the infamous Proposition 187. —Shelby Grad, Los Angeles Times, 25 Nov. 2024

The mayor has presented his budget as a choice between the second-largest property tax increase in city history or draconian cuts — but this paints a false illusion. —Paul Vallas, Chicago Tribune, 7 Nov. 2024

Conservatives have long sought to cap the federal allotments to states, which critics say would lead to draconian cuts. —Rachel Reiff Ellis, Fortune Well, 6 Nov. 2024

Past attempts at such draconian measures, whether in the flailing economies of former Soviet states or in developing nations, rarely yielded encouraging results. —Ron Insana, CNBC, 30 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1752, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!