Draconian
adjective
Very severe or strict.
The government has promised to take draconian measures to control crime.
Often appears as...
- draconian measures
- draconian laws
Usage tips
Disapproving
adjective
Very severe or strict.
The government has promised to take draconian measures to control crime.
Often appears as...
- draconian measures
- draconian laws
Usage tips
Disapproving
Definition 1 of 1
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Connotation
Draconian suggests unjust harshness or cruelty, and often criticism.
Citizens viewed the new curfew as draconian and oppressive.
Pro Tip 2/3Legal Context
Often used in legal or policy contexts to describe overly harsh rules.
The draconian law imposed heavy fines for minor offenses.
Pro Tip 3/3Historical Roots
The term originates from Draco, an ancient lawmaker known for strict codes.
These modern rules are almost as draconian as those of ancient times.
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Connotation
Draconian suggests unjust harshness or cruelty, and often criticism.
Citizens viewed the new curfew as draconian and oppressive.
Pro Tip 2/3Legal Context
Often used in legal or policy contexts to describe overly harsh rules.
The draconian law imposed heavy fines for minor offenses.
Pro Tip 3/3Historical Roots
The term originates from Draco, an ancient lawmaker known for strict codes.
These modern rules are almost as draconian as those of ancient times.
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Connotation
Draconian suggests unjust harshness or cruelty, and often criticism.
Citizens viewed the new curfew as draconian and oppressive.
Pro Tip 2/3Legal Context
Often used in legal or policy contexts to describe overly harsh rules.
The draconian law imposed heavy fines for minor offenses.
Pro Tip 3/3Historical Roots
The term originates from Draco, an ancient lawmaker known for strict codes.
These modern rules are almost as draconian as those of ancient times.
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Video examples
Holly Morris: Why stay...
a tightly regulated exclusion zone, or dead zone, and it's a nuclear police state, complete with border guards. You have to have dosimeter at all times, clicking away, you have to have a government minder, and there's draconian radiation rules
Video examples
Reimagining Dinosaurs PIPE...
collections all around the world right um so draconian laws are probably not the answer um but it really depends on different countries have different laws and legal frameworks um in germany there are some um you know federal states
Video examples
Who owns your view? PIPE...
the same draconian law that's me I'm knocking at the door knock knock knocking at the door looking at the wall not alone looking at the wall
Video examples
Holly Morris: Why stay...
a tightly regulated exclusion zone, or dead zone, and it's a nuclear police state, complete with border guards. You have to have dosimeter at all times, clicking away, you have to have a government minder, and there's draconian radiation rules
Video examples
Reimagining Dinosaurs PIPE...
collections all around the world right um so draconian laws are probably not the answer um but it really depends on different countries have different laws and legal frameworks um in germany there are some um you know federal states
Video examples
Who owns your view? PIPE...
the same draconian law that's me I'm knocking at the door knock knock knocking at the door looking at the wall not alone looking at the wall
Example 1 of 3
Quote examples
Prashant Bhushan
Indian Lawyer
Eventually, understanding the motivations of the terrorists and dealing with the injustices that pervade our society, and repairing the institutions of justice, particularly the police and the judiciary, will be a much more effective way of fighting terror, than laws which give more draconian powers to corrupt and insensitive police organisations.
Quote examples
Frances O'Grady
British Activist
The backwoodsmen are muttering about making Britain's draconian union laws - already among the toughest in Europe - harsher still. And parts of the media will continue to attack public service pensions, as if school meals staff, refuse collectors and healthcare workers have no right to a decent retirement.
Quote examples
Greg Boyle
American Clergyman
The draconian spirit that seeks to enhance penalties and to lower the age at which juveniles will be tries as adults, is part of the 'whole cloth' of three strikes. Our failure to address the depair of our inner-city youth is only delayed by our over-confidence in a stance that is 'tougher than thou.
Quote examples
Oneohtrix Point Never
American Musician
Film work can be anything from just really hard and stressful and you're subjected to really weird deadlines to really draconian and weird and disconnected. You're working in service of the thing, and that can be really amazing for everyone involved, or be kind of just a waste of time.
Quote examples
Marian Wright Edelman
American Activist
Together we can and must fight for justice for our children and protect them from draconian tax cuts and budget choices that threaten their survival, education and preparation for the future. If they are not ready for tomorrow, neither is America.
Quote examples
George Pelecanos
American Author
It would probably surprise people how prevalent reading is in institutions - and the degree to which some states discourage reading by instituting draconian rules and laws that try to limit and outright roadblock books in prisons.
Quote examples
Jerry Brown
American Politician
Pension reform can be hard to talk about. In the long run, reform now means fewer demands for layoffs and less draconian measures in the future. It's in the best interest of all Californians to fix this system now.
Quote examples
Patrick Leahy
American Politician
The rights of copyright holders need to be protected, but some draconian remedies that have been suggested would create more problems than they would solve.
Quote examples
Ash Sarkar
British Journalist
More draconian forms of policing and punishment are no guarantee of a reduction in violent crime.
Quote examples
David Perlmutter
American Scientist
It may seem draconian, but the best recommendation I can make is to completely avoid grains.
Quote examples
Prashant Bhushan
Indian Lawyer
Eventually, understanding the motivations of the terrorists and dealing with the injustices that pervade our society, and repairing the institutions of justice, particularly the police and the judiciary, will be a much more effective way of fighting terror, than laws which give more draconian powers to corrupt and insensitive police organisations.
Quote examples
Frances O'Grady
British Activist
The backwoodsmen are muttering about making Britain's draconian union laws - already among the toughest in Europe - harsher still. And parts of the media will continue to attack public service pensions, as if school meals staff, refuse collectors and healthcare workers have no right to a decent retirement.
Quote examples
Greg Boyle
American Clergyman
The draconian spirit that seeks to enhance penalties and to lower the age at which juveniles will be tries as adults, is part of the 'whole cloth' of three strikes. Our failure to address the depair of our inner-city youth is only delayed by our over-confidence in a stance that is 'tougher than thou.
Quote examples
Oneohtrix Point Never
American Musician
Film work can be anything from just really hard and stressful and you're subjected to really weird deadlines to really draconian and weird and disconnected. You're working in service of the thing, and that can be really amazing for everyone involved, or be kind of just a waste of time.
Quote examples
Marian Wright Edelman
American Activist
Together we can and must fight for justice for our children and protect them from draconian tax cuts and budget choices that threaten their survival, education and preparation for the future. If they are not ready for tomorrow, neither is America.
Quote examples
George Pelecanos
American Author
It would probably surprise people how prevalent reading is in institutions - and the degree to which some states discourage reading by instituting draconian rules and laws that try to limit and outright roadblock books in prisons.
Quote examples
Jerry Brown
American Politician
Pension reform can be hard to talk about. In the long run, reform now means fewer demands for layoffs and less draconian measures in the future. It's in the best interest of all Californians to fix this system now.
Quote examples
Patrick Leahy
American Politician
The rights of copyright holders need to be protected, but some draconian remedies that have been suggested would create more problems than they would solve.
Quote examples
Ash Sarkar
British Journalist
More draconian forms of policing and punishment are no guarantee of a reduction in violent crime.
Quote examples
David Perlmutter
American Scientist
It may seem draconian, but the best recommendation I can make is to completely avoid grains.
Example 1 of 10
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