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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of draconian
But Ferrer also indicated that his mother’s views wouldn’t align with Trump’s draconian policies and harsh rhetoric.
—
Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 24 Jan. 2025
Reforms since then reduced penalties as Americans came to understand that draconian punishments went too far.
—The Editorial Board, Orange County Register, 23 Jan. 2025
This would likely entail imposing full blocking sanctions on Huawei and more draconian restrictions on Chinese AI tech champions.
—Reva Goujon, Foreign Affairs, 27 Dec. 2024
Trump’s issuance of severe restrictions on public health agencies this week may signal such draconian moves by his appointees in the future.
—Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for draconian 
Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 24 Jan. 2025
Reforms since then reduced penalties as Americans came to understand that draconian punishments went too far.
—The Editorial Board, Orange County Register, 23 Jan. 2025
This would likely entail imposing full blocking sanctions on Huawei and more draconian restrictions on Chinese AI tech champions.
—Reva Goujon, Foreign Affairs, 27 Dec. 2024
Trump’s issuance of severe restrictions on public health agencies this week may signal such draconian moves by his appointees in the future.
—Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for draconian
Recent Examples of Synonyms for draconian
Adjective
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The delays follow the National Weather Service (NWS) issuing a warning over harsh weather for residents of Huntersville and Gastonia in North Carolina, which is also affecting the Charlotte Douglas Airport.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
16 Feb. 2025
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The protest was not politically motivated, but demonstrations in the country can sometimes lead to political unrest under the harsh regime.—
Brie Stimson,
Fox News,
16 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The occasional injury is unavoidable in a tournament where the intensity is this high, but that doesn’t make the outcome any less brutal for Theodore and the Golden Knights. 4.—
Sean McIndoe,
The Athletic,
17 Feb. 2025
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Though the claims of uniquely brutal violence are mostly anecdotal, their shocking nature has become the cornerstone of such groups' outreach to Western leaders.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Rachel Weisz and Emma Stone are delicious as the two ruthless favorites of the monarch, who try to outmaneuver each other at all costs.—
Radhika Seth,
Vogue,
9 Feb. 2025
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With a seasoned detective (Schram) on the hunt for this ruthless killer, numerous suspects come to light, and each new revelation leads to a shocking twist.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Currently, asylum seekers who committed crimes seen as political in nature—i.e. toward an oppressive regime—could be granted asylum, as could those guilty of misdemeanors.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
14 Feb. 2025
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But the show pulls back just enough on the oppressive horror vibes of Season Two without losing a perpetual sense of unease from those scenes.—
Alan Sepinwall,
Rolling Stone,
14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Immigrant advocates call those moves cruel and unnecessary.—
Joel Rose,
NPR,
8 Feb. 2025
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The current government’s purposeful misrepresentation and defamation of DEI in such a comprehensively cruel and malicious manner deserves nothing less than personal and communal outrage and resistance.—
Dr. Tony Lux,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near draconian
Cite this Entry
“Draconian.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/draconian. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
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