draconian

adjective

dra·​co·​ni·​an drā-ˈkō-nē-ən 

drə-

variants often Draconian

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 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

Only weeks after September 11, Congress passed the draconian Patriot Act. — David Friend, Vanity Fair, 10 Sep. 2026

In a basement in a quiet corner of Kabul, CBS News was granted rare access this week to a secret school where teen girls dare to continue their education in defiance of a draconian Taliban regime — girls who want their voices to be heard. — Imtiaz Tyab, CBS News, 9 Sep. 2026

But draconian mandates and screenless classes can’t be the only ways that colleges deal with AI. — Sian Leah Beilock, The Atlantic, 5 Sep. 2026

Under the Taliban’s draconian interpretation of sharia, watching movies, playing chess, singing, and playing or listening to music are all banned. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 31 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1752, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for draconian

• amazonian
• babylonian
• hamiltonian
• parkinsonian
• baconian
• devonian
• estonian
• newtonian
• pannonian
• senonian

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