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 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 That could spark draconian cuts to how much drinking water is available for millions of people and imperil farms 500 miles away in California's Imperial Valley. — Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 17 Aug. 2026 Americans kept lighting up, though, even after draconian federal and state anti-drug laws were enacted during the 1990s. — Bob Woods, CNBC, 15 Aug. 2026 Yet even in these draconian conditions, Afghan women have continued to fight for their rights, meeting the Taliban’s repression with extraordinary acts of courage. — Rina Amiri, Foreign Affairs, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for draconian
Recent Examples of Synonyms for draconian
  1. harsh
  2. brutal
  3. ruthless
  4. oppressive
Adjective
  • Growing up under the harsh system of segregation influenced Pillay's interest in human rights and the law.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Growing up under the harsh system of segregation influenced Pillay’s interest in human rights and the law.
    — Stefanie Dazio, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of harsh
Adjective
  • Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles is fighting for his job security after a brutal start to the season.
    — Scott Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2026
  • There’s the brutal heat; the skin destroying UV-rays of that miserable, scorching, eye-blinding sun; the constant allergy/sinusitis issues that NEVER let up; the smothering humidity.
    — R. Eric Thomas, Washington Post, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of brutal
Adjective
  • Sure, that sounds ridiculous for a season about rape, infidelity, mass murder, suicide, and society’s ruthless commodification of those very things.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 6 Oct. 2026
  • In part, Iran’s political system and ruthless crackdown on protest has given it some insulation from the economic destruction imposed by the blockade and sanctions.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of ruthless
Adjective
  • The combination was as oppressive as the thermometer reading.
    — Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Central Connecticut State University President Zulma Toro resigned Wednesday following an investigation into a complaint alleging the workplace culture under her leadership was oppressive, bullying and intimidating.
    — Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of oppressive

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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 Oct. 2026.

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