draconian

USAGE SUMMARY

'draconian' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a set of laws, rules, or regulations that are very strict and severe. For example: "The government imposed a draconian set of regulations on businesses in the area."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

APY's chairman, Bernard Singer, labelled the legislation "draconian" and said there was no evidence of poor governance or fund misuse at the APY.

The Guardian

"The Abbott government's position is more draconian than any major private sector employer in Australia," said the secretary of the CPSU, Nadine Flood.

The Guardian

Tessa Gregory, a solicitor at Public Interest Lawyers who is acting on behalf on Birmingham students challenging the claim, described the university authority's actions as shameful and draconian.

The Guardian

"It is deeply concerning that the University of Birmingham have chosen to respond in such a draconian manner to a [previous] peaceful protest," she said.

The Guardian

Over the years, and in just about equal measure, critics have either chided the BBFC for being too liberal or too draconian.

The Guardian - Film

When stating that he is against "Draconian terrorism laws that make us less – not more – safe", it is worrying that in a third of the votes on the government's flawed anti-terrorism legislation Davis didn't even vote.

The Guardian - Opinion

His best mate, a priest, is advising him to lie to keep his job, the media is stitching him up from every angle, and he's trying to take an ideological stand against the draconian, unnecessary anti-terrorism legislation of his terrified party.

The Guardian - Books

The introduction of a draconian GP co-payment also disproportionately affects women, as they have more GP visits than men.

The Guardian - Opinion

The changes to the unemployment benefit payments for the under 30s was again seen to be draconian and unfair.

The Guardian - Opinion

There is also evidence that he has helped to engender the same sort of hatred and persecutory atmosphere elsewhere, in particular Russia, which adopted its own draconian anti-gay legislation last year.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Fahmy and Baher have been accused of being MB members, so they are being held in the far more draconian 'Scorpion prison' built for convicted terrorists.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "draconian", ensure the context clearly demonstrates extreme severity or strictness. Overuse can dilute its impact, so reserve it for genuinely harsh situations.

Common error

Avoid using "draconian" to describe rules that are merely inconvenient or slightly strict. It should be reserved for measures that are exceptionally harsh and oppressive.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "draconian" primarily functions to modify nouns, describing them as excessively harsh or severe. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in characterizing laws, measures, and policies.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "draconian" is used to describe something extremely harsh or severe. Ludwig AI confirms that it is a correct and frequently used word in written English, predominantly in News & Media. When using "draconian", ensure the context warrants its strong connotation, reserving it for situations genuinely deserving of such a descriptor. Alternatives such as "extremely harsh", "overly severe", and "excessively strict" can be used to convey similar meanings with varying degrees of intensity. When deciding to employ "draconian", ensure that you want to emphasize the extreme severity of the concept you are talking about.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extremely harsh

Replaces "draconian" with simpler, more direct terms to describe the severity.

overly severe

Uses "overly" to highlight that the severity is excessive.

excessively strict

Focuses on the strictness being beyond what is reasonable or necessary.

unusually rigid

Emphasizes the inflexibility of the rule or law.

stringently enforced

Highlights the rigorous application of a rule or law.

imposing severe penalties

Shifts the focus to the consequences of non-compliance.

unduly punitive

Suggests that the measure is unfairly harsh as a punishment.

authoritarian measures

Emphasizes the dictatorial nature of the actions taken.

iron-fisted rule

Uses a metaphorical term to describe the oppressive nature of the governance.

oppressive regulations

Highlights the burdensome nature of the rules and their impact on individuals.

FAQs

How to use "draconian" in a sentence?

Use "draconian" to describe laws, rules, or measures that are extremely severe or harsh. For example, "The company implemented "draconian measures" to cut costs."

What can I say instead of "draconian"?

You can use alternatives like "extremely harsh", "overly severe", or "excessively strict" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "draconian measures" or "drastic measures"?

"Draconian measures" implies extreme severity and harshness, while "drastic measures" suggests a significant and sudden change. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize severity or impact.

What's the origin of the word "draconian"?

The term "draconian" comes from Draco, an Athenian lawgiver in the 7th century BC, whose laws were known for their severity. His code prescribed the death penalty for almost every offense.