Draconian

[ drey-koh-nee-uhn, druh- ]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of the Athenian statesman Draco, or his severe code of laws.
2. (often lowercase) rigorous; unusually severe or cruel:

   Draconian forms of punishment.

draconian

/ dreɪˈkəʊnɪən; dreɪˈkɒnɪk /

adjective

1. of or relating to Draco, 7th-century Athenian statesman and lawmaker, or his code of laws, which prescribed death for almost every offence
2. harsh

   draconian legislation

Derived Forms

• draˈconianism, noun

Other Words From

• Dra·coni·an·ism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of Draconian¹

First recorded in 1810–20; < Latin Dracōn- (stem of Draco ) + -ian

Example Sentences

Human rights groups, however, said the measures were “draconian” and counter-productive.

From The Daily Beast

This photograph is a critique of how draconian the rules of society can be.

From The Daily Beast

A top National Institutes of Health official called the quarantines “draconian.”

From The Daily Beast

The holiday may see more Hongkongers hit the streets, which in turn could provoke the authorities to take more-draconian measures.

From The Daily Beast

I fear the latter, given the draconian governmental measures over a single case, but time will tell.

From The Daily Beast

To walk these two miles per diem is a Draconian law which I impose upon myself during all seasons of the year.

From Project Gutenberg

He read the sentence through three times, and then recollected that he had not looked up the Draconian reforms.

From Project Gutenberg

Turlough was unquestionably somewhat Spartan in his severities, if not Draconian in his administration of justice.

From Project Gutenberg

If there are exceptions who do not subscribe to these Draconian laws of the Parisian code, they are solitary examples.

From Project Gutenberg

As the spoliation went on, the decrees became more and more Draconian.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• cruel
• drastic
• heavy-handed
• oppressive
• severe
• strict