draconian
/dɹækˈəʊ.ni.ən/
Group 33Difficulty 2/3
Definition
- (adjective)
- Excessively harsh and severe GRE
Example in Context
The draconian measures imposed during the emergency, including curfews and censorship, persisted long after the crisis that had supposedly justified them had passed.
Synonyms
harshsevereextreme
Etymology
Named after a severe lawmaker, implying rules as harsh as a dragon's breath.
- Draco (Greek) — dragon
Memory Aid
🐉Sounds like “draco-nyan”
When a DRAGON yells at you for being late, it feels like DRACONIAN punishment!
Visual Association
⚖️A dragon perched on a pile of broken laws, breathing fire on anyone who dares to break them.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “draconian” mean on the GRE?
draconian (adjective) means “Excessively harsh and severe”. The draconian measures imposed during the emergency, including curfews and censorship, persisted long after the crisis that had supposedly justified them had passed.
How to remember “draconian” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “draconian” sounds like “draco-nyan”. When a DRAGON yells at you for being late, it feels like DRACONIAN punishment!
What are synonyms for “draconian”?
Common synonyms: harsh, severe, extreme.