draconian
dray-KOH-nee-unadjMeaning far too harsh and severe
Memory hook DRAGON-IAN rules: way too harsh. In the dragon’s castle the rule is: take one cookie and get no dessert for a whole year. Rules that harsh are draconian.
Taking away recess for a whole month for one late homework is draconian.
In context Under the old king’s draconian laws, stealing a single loaf of bread could cost a family its home, so the new queen’s first act was to soften them.
Similar harsh, severe, strict, brutal
Opposite lenient, mild, merciful
Named for Draco, a lawmaker of ancient Athens whose laws punished even small crimes with great severity.