Definition of draconian
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Examples of draconian in a Sentence
The editorial criticizes the draconian measures being taken to control the spread of the disease.
Recent Examples of draconian from the Web
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Thus, as of today, the U.S. will cease all implementation of the non-binding Paris accord and the draconian and financial economic burdens the agreement imposes on our country.
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But Levine pointed out that the draconian penalties originally proposed, which would have withheld all state funding from the city if the deadline was not met, had been removed.
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The layoffs are the most draconian cut yet for the Northwest Side university, which has had to implement two campus shutdowns, expand furloughs and cut student jobs this year to try to continue operations through June, the end of the fiscal year.
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Both believe in draconian immigration laws based on ethnic and racial preservation.
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Nellie Drew, a University of Buffalo adjunct law professor who follows sports issues, suspects a draconian ruling on player liberty could be the tipping point.
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Ever since Arizona passed Senate Bill 1070, one of the toughest anti-undocumented bills ever signed into law, the state has been known for pioneering the kind of draconian tactics that the Trump administration is now turning into federal policy.
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WorldSo far, the country’s response to the frozen conflict has been clumsy, draconian and self-defeating—but building homes and schools could be the strategy Kiev needs.
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Last year, Representative Maria Cantwell took on the national-security establishment by introducing a bill in the US Congress to relax the existing Draconian controls on the export of encryption software.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'draconian'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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 preexistent laws, but its severity is what made it really memorable. In Draco's 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 things cruel or harsh. Something draconian need not always be as cruel as the laws in Draco's code, though - today the word is used in a wide variety of ways and often refers to measures (steep parking fines, for example) that are relatively minor when compared with the death penalty.
Origin and Etymology of draconian
Latin Dracon-, Draco, from Greek Drakōn Draco (Athenian lawgiver)
DRACONIAN Defined for English Language Learners
draconian
playDefinition of draconian for English Language Learners
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: very severe or cruel
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See words that rhyme with draconian Britannica English: Translation of draconian for Arabic speakers
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