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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Recent Examples of draconian
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
Comments can be revealing, especially in societies that are closed and authoritarian in nature where media access to public information is limited by draconian laws and freedom of expression curtailed.
—Shepherd Mpofu, Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Apr. 2026
However, invoking these deaths as justification for more draconian state intervention is misguided and dangerous.
—Chicago Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026
The draconian rule of law under Pinochet also thwarted the young director’s cinematic ambitions.
—Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 22 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for draconian
Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 4 May 2026
Comments can be revealing, especially in societies that are closed and authoritarian in nature where media access to public information is limited by draconian laws and freedom of expression curtailed.
—Shepherd Mpofu, Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Apr. 2026
However, invoking these deaths as justification for more draconian state intervention is misguided and dangerous.
—Chicago Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026
The draconian rule of law under Pinochet also thwarted the young director’s cinematic ambitions.
—Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 22 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for draconian
Recent Examples of Synonyms for draconian
Adjective
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Ikutiminu, who will attend UC Irvine in the fall, even spoke with musicians about how to create a sound that would be less harsh than the vuvuzela.—
Kenny Choi,
CBS News,
12 June 2026
-
Without toxic acids Tripathi’s breakthrough eliminates the harsh chemicals.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
11 June 2026
Adjective
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Higher-level inmates gorge themselves; those below face starvation, suicide or cannibalism – a brutal metaphor for the world’s food chain.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
12 June 2026
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The president’s instinct to go for the jugular was on display in his first campaign, when he was written off early on as an entertainer but found success with brutal takedowns.—
Zac Anderson,
USA Today,
12 June 2026
Adjective
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Serenity Maggie’s (and Sweet Magnolias‘) trip to New York was cut short as Season 5 offered a juxtaposition between small-town values and ruthless big-city corporate culture.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
11 June 2026
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Ruffalo will voice Nero, a scrappy black cat, and Fishburne will play Rocco, a ruthless cat mob boss.—
Jordan Moreau,
Variety,
11 June 2026
Adjective
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High heat, oppressive humidity and a few thunderstorms are all in the weather forecast for the Boston area through Friday evening, so the WBZ-TV Weather Team has issued a NEXT Weather Alert.—
Terry Eliasen,
CBS News,
11 June 2026
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The story began with Joel (Pedro Pascal), a hardened survivor, getting hired to smuggle Ellie (Bella Ramsey), a 14-year-old girl, out of an oppressive quarantine zone.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
11 June 2026
Adjective
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Still, the simple story — written by Jordan Tannahill, who adapted his own book, and directed by Janicza Bravo — illustrates various destructive choices and cruel actions ostensibly driven by love.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
12 June 2026
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Here is the part that feels especially cruel.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
12 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Draconian.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/draconian. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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