draconian | Definition & Meaning for the SAT
⚡️ DRACONIAN most nearly means: (A) ancient; (B) complicated; (C) harsh; (D) reptilian. 👉 Answer + examples, pronunciation, and full SAT explanation inside.
ℹ️ Part of speech of draconian
draconian is an ADJECTIVE.
🗣️ Pronunciation of draconian
draconian is pronounced /drə.ˈkoʊ.ni.ən/ or druh-KO-nee-uhn.
📚️ Definition of draconian
Extremely harsh, severe, or cruel, especially in terms of laws, rules, or punishments. Example: draconian punishments for minor crimes.
📰 Examples
Here are some examples of draconian in usage:
People love to complain about their HOA's (homeowners association's) "draconian" rules about required maintenance and holiday decorations and the fines they may incur.
A sentence of 25 years to life in prison for stealing a slice of pizza (because of California's "Three Strikes law") is decidedly draconian.
Our mother's draconian screen time limits meant no phones, tablets, or TV on school days. (Let's see how that turns out 12 years from now.)
✅ Quiz answer
Answer to the question above:
C, harsh. Explanations: A doesn't work; while draconian comes from an ancient Greek lawgiver named Draco, the word itself means severe, not old. B is incorrect; complicated refers to complexity, not severity. D is a bit of a trap since "draco" means dragon in Latin, but draconian has nothing to do with reptiles—it's all about harsh rules and punishments.