a draconian order

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a draconian order" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a command or directive that is excessively harsh or severe in nature. Example: "The government issued a draconian order that imposed strict penalties for minor infractions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The council did not discipline social workers but instead applied for a draconian order in an attempt to cover up the failings.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

No senator from Massachusetts rose promptly to challenge Bush's draconian order, thereby to etch a profile in courage.

The New York Times

As the homeless camp's acting solicitor, Ben Taylor, said recently: "My concern is that this draconian order would result in a homeless person facing the threat of prison simply for being homeless".

The Guardian - Opinion

Amnesty International said he had been living under a "draconian" military order and was now considered a "prisoner of conscience".

The Guardian

Indeed, when Col. John Van Deusen Du Bois on Dec. 8 angrily ordered "all Cotton-Speculators, Jews and other Vagrants having no honest means of support, except trading upon the miseries of their Country" to leave Holly Springs, and gave them "twenty-four horrs or they will be sent to duty in the trenches," Grant insisted that the Draconian order be rescinded.

The New York Times

There were three main objectives of this draconian order by the police: (1) to reduce any potential contact between the civilians and the shifta, (2) to break the morale of the hard-core shifta members so that they would surrender to the security forces and (3) to completely transform the lifestyle of the nomads from one of mobility to sedentarization.

Pastoralism

Although parts of the act were overturned by the House of Lords, secret evidence is still used to justify control orders – a draconian form of house arrest imposed by the special immigration appeals commission.

The Guardian - Opinion

A draconian approach to law and order means very low acquittal rates and stiff sentences for those accused of crimes.

The Economist

Late last month, again in the dark of night, Parliament passed a draconian new media law that, critics say, amounts to a gag order on Kenya's Fourth Estate.

The New York Times

Hayden, who made a similar order in relation to a 16-year-old boy earlier this week, said that it was a draconian step, as was the decision to remove a passport.

The Guardian

They get their politicians to pass legislation for them, in order to remove the people‚s freedoms and means of defending themselves, and enslave them in a draconian police-state, under a mountain of debt, and then exterminate the useless-eaters.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a draconian order", ensure the context clearly demonstrates the excessive severity or harshness of the command or regulation being described. This will strengthen your writing and prevent misinterpretations.

Common error

Avoid using "a draconian order" to describe minor inconveniences or slightly strict rules. Its impact is strongest when reserved for genuinely severe or oppressive situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a draconian order" functions as a noun phrase that describes a particular type of command or directive. It modifies the noun "order" with the adjective "draconian", emphasizing its extreme severity. As Ludwig confirms, it's usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a draconian order" is a grammatically sound and evocative way to describe a command or regulation that is excessively harsh or severe. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is indeed correct and can enhance your writing. While its usage is relatively rare, it appears most frequently in news and media contexts, where strict and often controversial measures are being discussed. When employing this phrase, ensure that the context clearly justifies the strong connotation of "draconian". Alternatives such as "a harsh command" or "an oppressive decree" may be more appropriate in less extreme situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a harsh command

Substitutes "draconian" with "harsh" and "order" with "command", simplifying the phrase while retaining the sense of severity.

an oppressive decree

Replaces "draconian" with "oppressive" and "order" with "decree", emphasizing the burdensome nature of the directive.

a severe regulation

Uses "severe" instead of "draconian" and "regulation" instead of "order", focusing on the strictness of the rule.

a stringent mandate

Employs "stringent" for "draconian" and "mandate" for "order", highlighting the binding and rigorous nature of the requirement.

a rigid directive

Replaces "draconian" with "rigid" and "order" with "directive", stressing the inflexible nature of the instruction.

an authoritarian rule

Substitutes "draconian" with "authoritarian" and "order" with "rule", underlining the controlling aspect of the imposition.

a coercive policy

Uses "coercive" instead of "draconian" and "policy" instead of "order", emphasizing the forced compliance aspect.

a repressive measure

Replaces "draconian" with "repressive" and "order" with "measure", highlighting the suppression implied by the action.

an iron-fisted dictate

Substitutes with a more figurative expression, retaining the severity and forceful implementation aspects.

an extreme imposition

Uses "extreme" for "draconian" and "imposition" for "order", stressing the excessive and burdensome nature of the action.

FAQs

How can I use "a draconian order" in a sentence?

You can use "a draconian order" to describe a command or directive that is excessively harsh or severe. For example, "The government issued "a draconian order" imposing strict penalties for minor infractions."

What are some alternatives to "a draconian order"?

Alternatives include "a harsh command", "an oppressive decree", or "a severe regulation". The choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

What makes an order "draconian"?

An order is considered "draconian" if it is excessively severe, harsh, or cruel, often imposing extreme penalties or restrictions.

Is it appropriate to use "a draconian order" in formal writing?

Yes, "a draconian order" can be used in formal writing, particularly when describing legal, political, or organizational contexts where strict and severe measures are being discussed.