Draconian
adjective
of, relating to, or characteristic of the Athenian statesman Draco, or his severe code of laws.
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pracovat.
Draconian
American
[dray-koh-nee-uhn, druh-]
/ dreɪˈkoʊ ni ən, drə- /
adjective
-
of, relating to, or characteristic of the Athenian statesman Draco, or his severe code of laws.
-
(often lowercase) rigorous; unusually severe or cruel.
Draconian forms of punishment.
draconian
British
/ dreɪˈkəʊnɪən /
adjective
-
of or relating to Draco, 7th-century Athenian statesman and lawmaker, or his code of laws, which prescribed death for almost every offence
-
harsh
draconian legislation
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of Draconian
First recorded in 1810–20; < Latin Dracōn- (stem of Draco ) + -ian
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Draconian policies and skyrocketing detainee populations coupled with lack of oversight and worsening conditions in the detention facilities are driving this surge, which seems set to continue.
From Slate ● Mar. 19, 2026
Draconian measures to prevent draft-dodging were also excluded from the latest version of the bill after a public outcry.
From BBC ● Apr. 11, 2024
Draconian policies, enacted decades ago in response to violence in the pools, continue to restrict what bathers can take onto pool decks, infusing the pools with what Ms. Amaro called “a prison-yard mentality.”
From New York Times ● May 28, 2022
Draconian measures designed to slow the spread of coronavirus mean millions of Brazilians are now cooped up at home and unable to take their anger on to the streets.
From The Guardian ● Mar. 25, 2020
“Where do you think you would be without the Draconian Marsh role?”
From "They Both Die at the End" by Adam Silvera
In his most draconian move yet, the Pentagon polygraphed some 50 high-ranking military officers and civilian officials on the Joint Staff, which coordinates operations, policy and war plans with combatant commanders worldwide.
From Salon ● Sep. 14, 2026
Exports surged 23.9% in the 12 months from July 2025, but that will only heighten concerns about “China Shock 2.0” that have economies all over the world contemplating draconian restrictions on Chinese trade.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 17, 2026
By 1924 the draconian Johnson-Reed Act slammed America’s doors shut, leading ultimately to a more than 90% fall in immigration from the Eastern Hemisphere.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 10, 2026
The issues MLB raises are legitimate; the solutions need not be so draconian.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 14, 2026
For example, the San Diego and Los Angeles zoos are now subjecting the last surviving California condors to a more draconian control of breeding than that imposed upon any domesticated species.
From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond
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