Meaning & use
draconian measures
Last updated
Meaning
phrasepluralformaldisapproving
Extremely strict and severe actions taken by a government or authority to control people.
Grammar: Used as a plural noun phrase; the singular 'draconian measure' is rare but possible.
Patterns
- introduce draconian measures
- impose draconian measures
- under draconian measures
The new government imposed draconian measures to stop the protests.
Critics say the draconian measures will hurt innocent citizens.
The company introduced draconian measures to monitor its employees.
Common combinations
- impose draconian measures
- The regime imposed draconian measures on the press.
- introduce draconian measures
- The school introduced draconian measures to stop cheating.
- draconian measures against
- They passed draconian measures against immigration.
- a series of draconian measures
- The government announced a series of draconian measures.
Synonyms and how they differ
- harsh measures
- Less formal and less extreme; it can describe any severe action, not necessarily cruel or oppressive.
- repressive measures
- Focuses on stopping people's freedom; often used in political contexts and is more specific than 'draconian measures'.
Opposites
Word family
- draconian adjective
- Describing a single rule or action as extremely harsh.
Commonly confused: draconian measures or draconian?
draconian measures vs draconian
This is the adjective; 'draconian measures' is a phrase using it. Don't say 'a draconian measures'.
Practice
The new law was criticized as ______ because it punished minor offenses with long prison terms.
Choose one answer.
'Draconian' means extremely harsh, which fits the criticism. 'Lenient' means the opposite, and 'moderate' or 'flexible' don't convey the severity.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “draconian measures”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.