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
Magyar’s focus on the economy means reform of Hungary’s draconian anti-LGBTQ+ laws, which currently includes the banning of Pride marches and fines for promoting homosexuality in schools, may not be a priority.
—
Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 16 Apr. 2026
Several cities, including Chicago, Toronto and San Francisco, have already instituted bans; Glendale is, as Long Beach recently did, taking a less draconian approach, putting the robots on pause while city officials figure out a regulatory framework.
—Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2026
In 2020 with the start of the coronavirus pandemic, North Korea banned tourists, jetted out diplomats and severely curtailed border traffic in one of the world’s most draconian COVID-19 restrictions.
—ABC News, 14 Mar. 2026
Churches had long viewed drug use as a moral failure and supported draconian measures—beliefs that many of the faithful shared.
—Sheila Coronel, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for draconian
Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 16 Apr. 2026
Several cities, including Chicago, Toronto and San Francisco, have already instituted bans; Glendale is, as Long Beach recently did, taking a less draconian approach, putting the robots on pause while city officials figure out a regulatory framework.
—Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2026
In 2020 with the start of the coronavirus pandemic, North Korea banned tourists, jetted out diplomats and severely curtailed border traffic in one of the world’s most draconian COVID-19 restrictions.
—ABC News, 14 Mar. 2026
Churches had long viewed drug use as a moral failure and supported draconian measures—beliefs that many of the faithful shared.
—Sheila Coronel, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for draconian
Recent Examples of Synonyms for draconian
Adjective
-
The barren landscape, despite its harsh conditions (daytime temperatures often exceed 125 degrees Fahrenheit), was—and still is—famous for its connection to many legends of treasure.—
Robb Report Studio,
Robb Report,
8 May 2026
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Drivers may also experience smoother brake operation because the system avoids the harsh pedal pulsing commonly associated with older anti-lock braking systems.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
7 May 2026
Adjective
-
Caesar Lorenzo Wilson, 54, was sentenced to 224 years in prison for the 2024 murder of University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) professor Haleh Abghari, a killing prosecutors say began as a burglary and ended in a brutal stabbing inside her own home.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2026
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No arrests have ever been made in the brutal killings of Russell and Shirley Dermond.—
Dan Raby,
CBS News,
8 May 2026
Adjective
-
Reduce Wasted Spend to Fund Your Next Project Founders are ruthless about cutting overhead, yet many creatives let thousands of dollars leak away on essential work expenses like software subscriptions, tech and supplies.—
Rhett Power,
Rolling Stone,
6 May 2026
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Stéphane de Groodt also appears, while Jochen Hägele plays the ruthless Nazi officer Dieter Frank.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
4 May 2026
Adjective
-
Others are subjected to frequent rains and oppressive summer humidity.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
3 May 2026
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An especially visually striking debut, Mosquitoes exists in a saturated hyperreality that is consummately engrossing, and announces the Bertani sisters as formidable portraitists of girlhood cast against the backdrop of an alternately beautiful and oppressive world.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Its cruel and even lawless excesses have reverberated around the globe.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
9 May 2026
-
This is how cruel football can be.—
Elias Burke,
New York Times,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Draconian.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/draconian. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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