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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
My research explores how well-meaning, but draconian, efforts to correct the abusive opioid prescription promotion practices of drug companies were followed by a nationwide explosion of overdoses from illicit opioids, again in the absence of equivalent efforts to make opioid treatment available.
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Charles Lebaron, Time, 13 Jan. 2026
The resulting portrait is of a man who is ideologically malleable, always ready to execute on the President’s most draconian impulses.
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2026
Iran's autocratic regime has quashed several previous waves of unrest, violently, and the source in Tehran told CBS News there was significant fear among many people that the current protests would draw a similar draconian crackdown.
—Tucker Reals, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
People are sending brutal, draconian thank-you cards?
—Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for draconian
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Charles Lebaron, Time, 13 Jan. 2026
The resulting portrait is of a man who is ideologically malleable, always ready to execute on the President’s most draconian impulses.
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2026
Iran's autocratic regime has quashed several previous waves of unrest, violently, and the source in Tehran told CBS News there was significant fear among many people that the current protests would draw a similar draconian crackdown.
—Tucker Reals, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
People are sending brutal, draconian thank-you cards?
—Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for draconian
Cite this Entry
“Draconian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/draconian. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.
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