1. the practice or policy of enforcing laws or rules with extreme severity; harsh or oppressive governance
Usage: often used in political or legal contexts; derived from Draco, an ancient Athenian lawgiver known for severe laws

Examples

• The government's draconianism in enforcing the new regulations drew criticism from civil rights groups.
• Critics accused the principal of draconianism for suspending students over minor infractions.
• The draconianism of the old legal code made even small offenses punishable by exile.
• Many viewed the company's draconianism toward employee conduct as unnecessarily strict.
• The regime's draconianism suppressed dissent through fear and intimidation.
• Historians debate whether Draco's draconianism was justified by the social conditions of ancient Athens.