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
Senate Democrats, who have not offered a road funding plan, say the House budget is built on draconian cuts to health care and other services and a road funding plan can be negotiated, along with the rest of the budget, from the proposals offered by Whitmer and the House GOP.
—
Paul Egan, Freep.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Reading, for me, was a huge escape, and given the rather draconian rules around TV in our house, a fantastic way to pass the time.
—Literary Hub
september 4, Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2025
The bill also may require Democratic support in the Senate to overcome a filibuster, which may limit Republican lawmakers’ ability to impose draconian cuts.
—Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Recently, the same law has been invoked against Pashtun rights advocates in Pakistan and celebrated Indian author Arundhati Roy, who now also faces terrorism charges under India's draconian Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
—Stephen Townley, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for draconian
Paul Egan, Freep.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Reading, for me, was a huge escape, and given the rather draconian rules around TV in our house, a fantastic way to pass the time.
—Literary Hub
september 4, Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2025
The bill also may require Democratic support in the Senate to overcome a filibuster, which may limit Republican lawmakers’ ability to impose draconian cuts.
—Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Recently, the same law has been invoked against Pashtun rights advocates in Pakistan and celebrated Indian author Arundhati Roy, who now also faces terrorism charges under India's draconian Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
—Stephen Townley, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for draconian
Recent Examples of Synonyms for draconian
Adjective
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According to the woman, her parents’ reasoning for denying her requests was rooted in a harsh lesson about independence.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
26 Oct. 2025
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Instead of buying special cleaners or reaching for harsh chemicals to clean around your home, look to your medicine cabinet for a solution.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Simulations take place between October and March in brutal winter conditions, when the Gobi freezes solid.—
Rosanna Philpott,
CNN Money,
24 Oct. 2025
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This early modern period would set the foundations of the rise of the transatlantic slave trade and a new form of slavery—hereditary racial slavery—that would be central to the creation of the racial-caste hierarchy and to the rise of Britain’s wealthy and brutal Caribbean slave empire.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Those hoping to snatch a home in this busy period faced limited options on the market, as the country’s developers had chronically underbuilt compared to demand in the years following the subprime mortgage crisis, leading to ruthless bidding wars and climbing home values.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
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Hedda orchestrates a ruthless game of manipulation, where lust, jealousy and betrayal collide.—
Patrick Hipes,
Deadline,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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After a summer of oppressive heat, October is when New York City hits its stride.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
18 Oct. 2025
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Raducanu had her blood pressure taken during the match, which was played in oppressive heat and humidity, before retiring down 6-1, 4-1.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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In Pahani’s 2006 award-winning comedy Offside, about the cruel cultural chains binding Iranian women, a group of young women attempt to gain entry to a stadium to watch a World Cup qualifying match between Iran and Japan.—
Baz Bamigboye,
Deadline,
24 Oct. 2025
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There is no reason to be cruel to people.—
Sigal Ratner-Arias,
Billboard,
23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Draconian.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/draconian. Accessed 26 Oct. 2025.
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