draconian

adjective

Definition of draconiannext
as in harsh
formal + disapproving unnecessarily strict or severe The editorial criticizes the draconian measures being taken to control the spread of the disease. draconian punishments

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of draconian But the work sparked controversy when some lawmakers — along with alcohol industry trade groups — claimed the scientists were biased against alcohol and would reach a conclusion with draconian implications. — Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 9 June 2026 Satrapi, who was nine years old when Pahlavi was toppled and Ayatollah Khomeini came to power in 1979, recounted her experiences growing up under the latter’s draconian government in the graphic novel Persepolis. — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 4 June 2026 Maybe not stuck in an urban jam, dodging potholes or crawling amid draconian speed limits – but out there on the open road, taking sunny corners in a nice car? — New Atlas, 29 May 2026 The federal Fifth Circuit appeals court agreed with Louisiana and imposed draconian new restrictions on Friday. — Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 4 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for draconian
Recent Examples of Synonyms for draconian
  1. harsh
  2. brutal
  3. ruthless
  4. oppressive
  5. cruel
Adjective
  • White settlers and frontier pioneers built vast, fenceless cattle stations, battling harsh environments and disease, embracing a hard-living culture that exists to this day.
    — Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 5 July 2026
  • Dish Soap Using harsh chemicals on the outside of your toilet bowl and fixtures is not recommended, according to Meagher.
    — Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 4 July 2026
Definition of harsh
Adjective
  • And such attacks are not merely tactics of war, but the brutal intersection of the logic of war and the logic of climate vulnerability.
    — Sarah Yerkes, Time, 10 July 2026
  • That film culminated in the brutal defeat of House Atreides by rival House Harkonnen, with Paul and his mother, Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson), fleeing to the desert and taking refuge among the Fremen.
    — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 9 July 2026
Definition of brutal
Adjective
  • Communism’s pure economic theory is now rarely practiced anywhere — even if ruthless leaders in hybrid capitalist economies like China and Russia have retained the authoritarian iron fists of their predecessors.
    — Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 8 July 2026
  • Otherwise, Kail sticks closely to the template established for him, recreating every scene and sequence from the first movie with ruthless fidelity and adding essentially no departures of any significance.
    — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 8 July 2026
Definition of ruthless
Adjective
  • In addition to facing each other, the Norway and England players will also have to battle oppressive heat and humidity on Saturday.
    — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 11 July 2026
  • Rents in Rhode Island are particularly oppressive, with the average for a three-bedroom home costing nearly 30% of median income.
    — Scott Cohn, CNBC, 10 July 2026
Definition of oppressive
Adjective
  • The heat has become so unbearable in Japan that weather officials in April announced a new term for days when maximum temperatures exceed 104 degrees — kokushobi, meaning harsh or cruel heat, according to the Japan Times.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • For thousands of Venezuelans, however, the lack of definitive answers has become one of the tragedy’s cruelest consequences.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 July 2026
Definition of cruel

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draconian
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Cite this Entry

“Draconian.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/draconian. Accessed 11 Jul. 2026.

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