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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
From draconian punishments to loophole economies, here are some of the wackiest cannabis regulations found across the globe.
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Tribune Content Agency, Mercury News, 6 May 2025
Drawn out of his humble galley kitchen and into a world of diplomatic intrigue, Carême becomes a pawn in the cold war between Talleyrand, a Machiavellian schemer stabbing backs in the name of a newborn republic, and Fouché, a draconian lawman who mistrusts anything that moves.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 30 Apr. 2025
In his first 100 days as president, Trump has:
—Launched a draconian immigration crackdown, reviving and expanding family separation policies at the border, pushing mass deportations without due process, and targeting long-time visa-holding residents for removal.
—Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Apr. 2025
These borrowers may soon be subject to draconian collections actions by the government including wage garnishment and the offset of Social Security payments and other federal income streams.
—Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for draconian
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Tribune Content Agency, Mercury News, 6 May 2025
Drawn out of his humble galley kitchen and into a world of diplomatic intrigue, Carême becomes a pawn in the cold war between Talleyrand, a Machiavellian schemer stabbing backs in the name of a newborn republic, and Fouché, a draconian lawman who mistrusts anything that moves.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 30 Apr. 2025
In his first 100 days as president, Trump has:
—Launched a draconian immigration crackdown, reviving and expanding family separation policies at the border, pushing mass deportations without due process, and targeting long-time visa-holding residents for removal.
—Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Apr. 2025
These borrowers may soon be subject to draconian collections actions by the government including wage garnishment and the offset of Social Security payments and other federal income streams.
—Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 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 May. 2025.
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