adjective

draconian

druh-KOH-nee-un/drəˈkəʊniən/

Excessively harsh or severe.

The school's draconian rule imposes suspension for arriving one minute late.

A strict school notice reads ONE MINUTE LATE / SUSPENDED; adult student reacts to clearly disproportionate rule, no physical punishment.

Etymology

Originally meaning “relating to Draco,” the adjective recalls an Athenian lawgiver whose code prescribed death even for minor crimes. His name consequently became a byword for exceptionally harsh laws and punishments.

In context

Roger Cook Reports6:59

… the smallest transgression draws a draconian punishment …

The Cook Report - Laundry Man / John ‘Goldfinger’ Palmer S09E05 (1994)

More examples

Employees call the ban on personal phone calls draconian.
Draconian budget cuts leave the library open only one day a week.
The school abandons its draconian discipline policy after parents protest.

Similar words

harsh: Describes rough or unkind treatment, not necessarily extreme severity.
severe: Indicates great strictness or intensity without necessarily implying excess.
punitive: Emphasizes punishment rather than the excessive severity of rules.