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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
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
Owing to the draconian length of Timothy’s sentencing, and also to Rosemary’s newfound mediagenic powers, the vast majority of outlets sympathized with the Learys.
—Susannah Cahalan, Rolling Stone, 17 Apr. 2025
Deep cuts to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and the elimination of the Department of Education debilitate the nation's capacity to recover from such draconian, poverty-increasing measures.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Apr. 2025
In fact, jumping through so many hoops to avoid identifying trans people as such made the policy even more draconian, according to Reyes.
—Samantha Riedel, Them, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for draconian
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Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Owing to the draconian length of Timothy’s sentencing, and also to Rosemary’s newfound mediagenic powers, the vast majority of outlets sympathized with the Learys.
—Susannah Cahalan, Rolling Stone, 17 Apr. 2025
Deep cuts to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and the elimination of the Department of Education debilitate the nation's capacity to recover from such draconian, poverty-increasing measures.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Apr. 2025
In fact, jumping through so many hoops to avoid identifying trans people as such made the policy even more draconian, according to Reyes.
—Samantha Riedel, Them, 20 Mar. 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 3 May. 2025.
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