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
In a preface to the White House’s proposed draconian downsizing of the American space agency, its acting administrator, Janet Petro, concedes that NASA will be forced to cut away at its ranks of illustrious scientists.
—
Kevin Holden Platt, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
The United States has maintained draconian sanctions on the Islamic Republic since 1979.
—Kori Schake, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025
Prior to the Trump administration’s draconian cuts, the entire foreign aid budget amounted to less than 1% of the country’s expenditures, and only 3.2% of that went to democracy, governance and human rights programs.
—Elizabeth Shackelford, Twin Cities, 20 June 2025
Yet Putin has organized Russia’s economy around the war effort and imposed draconian restrictions on civil society since 2022 — measures that will be difficult to change without risking internal instability, Western officials and observers suggest.
—Joel Gehrke, The Washington Examiner, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for draconian
Kevin Holden Platt, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
The United States has maintained draconian sanctions on the Islamic Republic since 1979.
—Kori Schake, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025
Prior to the Trump administration’s draconian cuts, the entire foreign aid budget amounted to less than 1% of the country’s expenditures, and only 3.2% of that went to democracy, governance and human rights programs.
—Elizabeth Shackelford, Twin Cities, 20 June 2025
Yet Putin has organized Russia’s economy around the war effort and imposed draconian restrictions on civil society since 2022 — measures that will be difficult to change without risking internal instability, Western officials and observers suggest.
—Joel Gehrke, The Washington Examiner, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for draconian
Recent Examples of Synonyms for draconian
Adjective
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The mask fully blocks out the harsh cabin lighting and that inevitable sunrise glow before landing.—
Samantha Leal,
Travel + Leisure,
10 July 2025
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Before Getting Started When cleaning your oven, try to avoid using harsh oven cleaners or using the self-cleaning feature.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
10 July 2025
Adjective
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Read more: 49ers Reveal Significant Injury Update on Brandon Aiyuk Ahead of his first season as the Vikings' starter, McCarthy has been hit with a brutal prediction.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 July 2025
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The Eastern Conference is wide open after the brutal injuries to both Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton during the playoffs, and now the Knicks are saddled with the expectations of excellence.—
Tom Rende,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
Adjective
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As a member of a crew that robs banks, Mr. Blonde is the most ruthless.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 July 2025
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President Donald Trump has mounted a ruthless onslaught on the checks and balances established in the Constitution.—
Steve Chapman,
Chicago Tribune,
2 July 2025
Adjective
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Since seizing control of Afghanistan in August 2021, the group has implemented a string of oppressive measures against women and girls, even cracking down on the sound of women’s voices in public.—
Catherine Nicholls,
CNN Money,
8 July 2025
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Others reject the portrayal of federal actions as oppressive, suggesting deployments like those in Los Angeles prioritize national security and immigration enforcement.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
4 July 2025
Adjective
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Politics remains a cruel business and the governor has been on the frontline of it for nearly 20 years, winning and losing.—
Kevin Rennie,
Hartford Courant,
5 July 2025
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They were joined by actors playing the contestants, who lurched along wearing expressions of exaggerated horror, as though the cruel stakes of the game had just been revealed to them.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
4 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Draconian.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/draconian. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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