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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
And, in this new age of luxury-tax aprons and draconian penalties on excessive payrolls, a shift to the reality of complementary components now being vital in the void of rosters with third or fourth All-NBA contributors.
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Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 28 June 2025
In a preface to the White House’s proposed draconian downsizing of the American space agency, its acting administrator, Janet Petro, concedes that NASA will be forced to cut away at its ranks of illustrious scientists.
—Kevin Holden Platt, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
The United States has maintained draconian sanctions on the Islamic Republic since 1979.
—Kori Schake, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025
Prior to the Trump administration’s draconian cuts, the entire foreign aid budget amounted to less than 1% of the country’s expenditures, and only 3.2% of that went to democracy, governance and human rights programs.
—Elizabeth Shackelford, Twin Cities, 20 June 2025
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Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 28 June 2025
In a preface to the White House’s proposed draconian downsizing of the American space agency, its acting administrator, Janet Petro, concedes that NASA will be forced to cut away at its ranks of illustrious scientists.
—Kevin Holden Platt, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
The United States has maintained draconian sanctions on the Islamic Republic since 1979.
—Kori Schake, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025
Prior to the Trump administration’s draconian cuts, the entire foreign aid budget amounted to less than 1% of the country’s expenditures, and only 3.2% of that went to democracy, governance and human rights programs.
—Elizabeth Shackelford, Twin Cities, 20 June 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 1 Jul. 2025.
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