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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
Trump professes his ability to make deals, and the saber-rattling of draconian levies on other countries is all part of the strategy to get the best arrangement possible where more goods are manufactured domestically, boosting American jobs and providing a fairer landscape for trade.
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Jeff Cox, CNBC, 1 Apr. 2025
These ideas paved the way to the 1924 National Origins Act, an immigration law that picked up on the racist accusations against immigrants to justify extremely draconian restrictions to immigration.
—Agustina Vergara Cid, Oc Register, 30 Mar. 2025
Piracy Shield is often labeled as draconian by opponents because blocking content via DNS is messy.
—Ars Technica, 21 Mar. 2025
But one draconian idea would impose $1 million bonds on any groups trying to launch a petition drive.
—Scott Maxwell, Orlando Sentinel, 19 Mar. 2025
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Jeff Cox, CNBC, 1 Apr. 2025
These ideas paved the way to the 1924 National Origins Act, an immigration law that picked up on the racist accusations against immigrants to justify extremely draconian restrictions to immigration.
—Agustina Vergara Cid, Oc Register, 30 Mar. 2025
Piracy Shield is often labeled as draconian by opponents because blocking content via DNS is messy.
—Ars Technica, 21 Mar. 2025
But one draconian idea would impose $1 million bonds on any groups trying to launch a petition drive.
—Scott Maxwell, Orlando Sentinel, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for draconian
Cite this Entry
“Draconian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/draconian. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.
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