draconian

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Nevertheless, the city council has proposed draconian measures to raise business costs even further, requiring one employee for every three self-checkout lanes and a 15-item maximum at self-checkout.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 23, 2026

Everything fell: oil prices, the dollar, even gold, because investors were shocked by how unsophisticated and draconian the policy was.

From Salon • Apr. 5, 2026

"Extreme rationing" could be introduced, he says, but draconian restrictions are already in place.

From BBC • Feb. 27, 2026

Human Rights Watch has condemned the AL ban as "draconian".

From Barron's • Jan. 24, 2026

The permeability of North Korea’s border tends to improve when border guards and local officials can accept bribes without draconian punishment from higher-ups.

From "Escape from Camp 14: One Man's Remarkable Odyssey from North Korea to Freedom in the West" by Blaine Harden