Draconian
adjective
of, relating to, or characteristic of the Athenian statesman Draco, or his severe code of laws.
Showing results for Draconian.
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
One of his earliest roles was as a Draconian Guard in Doctor Who in the 1970s.
From BBC ● May 31, 2022
She relied on a team for “supported decision making,” which Judge Glen called “a less restrictive alternate to the Draconian loss of liberty” of guardianship.
From New York Times ● Jul. 23, 2021
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
Like many of their peers, they longed for a secular and democratic government that would liberate them from the regime’s draconian social rules.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 19, 2026
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
He would take draconian steps to reduce inflation, setting off a recession but also laying the groundwork for a long bull market in stocks and bonds.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 6, 2026
The issues MLB raises are legitimate; the solutions need not be so draconian.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 14, 2026
The permeability of North Korea’s border tends to improve when border guards and local officials can accept bribes without draconian punishment from higher-ups.
From "Escape from Camp 14: One Man's Remarkable Odyssey from North Korea to Freedom in the West" by Blaine Harden
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
