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Draconian comes from Drakōn, the name (later Latinized as Draco) of a 7th-century B.C. Athenian legislator who created a written code of law. Drakōn’s code was intended to clarify existing laws, but its severity is what made it really memorable. According to the code, even minor offenses were punishable by death, and failure to pay one's debts could result in slavery. Draconian, as a result, is used especially for authoritative actions that are viewed as cruel or harsh.
Examples of draconian in a Sentence
The editorial criticizes the draconian measures being taken to control the spread of the disease.
Recent Examples on the Web
Learning French, German, Italian, or Spanish also offered a means of circumventing Ireland’s draconian censorship regime.
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Literary Hub, 2 Feb. 2026
The Advocate says Congress should consider addressing these draconian consequences in future legislation to better align the tax system with the fundamental rights of taxpayers.
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Draconian, stupid, unfair scheduling.
—Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Jan. 2026
My research explores how well-meaning, but draconian, efforts to correct the abusive opioid prescription promotion practices of drug companies were followed by a nationwide explosion of overdoses from illicit opioids, again in the absence of equivalent efforts to make opioid treatment available.
—Charles Lebaron, Time, 13 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for draconian
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Literary Hub, 2 Feb. 2026
The Advocate says Congress should consider addressing these draconian consequences in future legislation to better align the tax system with the fundamental rights of taxpayers.
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Draconian, stupid, unfair scheduling.
—Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Jan. 2026
My research explores how well-meaning, but draconian, efforts to correct the abusive opioid prescription promotion practices of drug companies were followed by a nationwide explosion of overdoses from illicit opioids, again in the absence of equivalent efforts to make opioid treatment available.
—Charles Lebaron, Time, 13 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for draconian
Cite this Entry
“Draconian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/draconian. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.
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