Definition of "draconian" []

• Exceedingly harsh; very severe: a draconian legal code; draconian budget cuts. (adjective)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "BAA Chief Executive Colin Matthews said he was dismayed by the decision, which he called "draconian.""
• "The report said Cosatu would also like to see the elections postponed to enable the scrapping of what he called draconian laws that restricted political activity and media coverage."
• "GMB, Unison and Unite released a joint statement attacking BCBC Job Evaluation proposals, which they described as "draconian" and "seeking confrontation" with staff."