as in harsh
formal + disapproving
unnecessarily strict or severe
The editorial criticizes the draconian measures being taken to control the spread of the disease. draconian punishments
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Recent Examples of draconian
To be clear, Europe has plenty of strong universities and bright minds, but its draconian laws stifle its own growth.
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Frank Holmes, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
This draconian ban impedes humanitarian efforts, prevents 100,000 Korean Americans from seeing their family and cuts off the only current avenue for people-to-people contact essential to peacemaking.
—Christine Ahn, Chicago Tribune, 17 Oct. 2024
Hard-liners also now dominate the legislature and the judiciary, which is infamous for imposing draconian sentences, including death by hanging, for vague charges related to offending the theocracy or Islam.
—Robin Wright, The New Yorker, 25 Sep. 2024
But the initiative’s organizers say regulators don’t understand the adult industry, risking censorship, draconian measures, and misunderstandings.
—Lydia Morrish, WIRED, 19 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for draconian 
Frank Holmes, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
This draconian ban impedes humanitarian efforts, prevents 100,000 Korean Americans from seeing their family and cuts off the only current avenue for people-to-people contact essential to peacemaking.
—Christine Ahn, Chicago Tribune, 17 Oct. 2024
Hard-liners also now dominate the legislature and the judiciary, which is infamous for imposing draconian sentences, including death by hanging, for vague charges related to offending the theocracy or Islam.
—Robin Wright, The New Yorker, 25 Sep. 2024
But the initiative’s organizers say regulators don’t understand the adult industry, risking censorship, draconian measures, and misunderstandings.
—Lydia Morrish, WIRED, 19 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for draconian
Recent Examples of Synonyms for draconian
Adjective
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Trump has promised to enact a new fiscal and economic regime, including harsh tariffs that some economists fear could have inflationary effects.Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024
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November is here, and with its arrival comes cooler, harsher weather.Cortne Bonilla, Vogue, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Tyson was known for his brutal knockouts, as his first 19 fights ended early — 12 in the first round.Greg Rosenstein, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
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In our age of brutal wars, authoritarian politics, cultures of contempt, and technology that promises to replace us with machines, what is left of the idea of the human being?George Packer, The Atlantic, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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The ruthless military officer with the monocle and the swagger stick who sends his men to senseless death and/or turns traitor.Mary McNamara, Los Angeles Times, 21 Nov. 2024
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Her wife and now-teenage daughter stood by her throughout the process, despite ruthless coverage from Mexican and Spanish news outlets, some of which continue to misgender and deadname her to this day.Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 21 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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By that logic, the Union is the oppressive force, and her movement is the real resistance.Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 11 Oct. 2024
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Debuting in 2014, Watch Dogs is an action-adventure game immersing players in the world of skilled hackers who use technology to combat oppressive forces controlling major cities across the world.Matt Grobar, Deadline, 13 Sep. 2024
Adjective
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The in-person aspects of the contest have remained generally positive, but online, with each new addition, the very nature of commenting on people’s bodies, looks, and attractiveness is basically heavy bait for someone to eventually say something cruel.CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 21 Nov. 2024
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Yet some began to blanch at this cruel ostentation.Tim Gallagher, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near draconian
Cite this Entry
“Draconian.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/draconian. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
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