martial law
noun
1
: the law applied in occupied territory by the military authority of the occupying power
2
: the law administered by military forces that is invoked by a government in an emergency when the civilian law enforcement agencies are unable to maintain public order and safety
Examples of martial law in a Sentence
The government has imposed martial law throughout the city to stop the riots.
an area placed under martial law
Recent Examples on the Web
The three are already on trial on insurrection charges relating to the martial law declaration.
—
Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 14 Nov. 2025
According to the indictment, prosecutors say memos were found on the phone of Yeo In-hyung, former head of South Korea’s intelligence agency (also indicted), outlining plans to provoke North Korean leader Kim Jong Un into a response that could be used to justify the martial law order.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Nov. 2025
In South Korea, parts of the civil service, legislature and military declined to support President Yoon Suk Yeol’s imposition of martial law in 2024, foiling his autocratic move.
—Shelley Inglis, The Conversation, 19 Oct. 2025
The latter party faced a crisis late last year when former President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law, a decision that ultimately led to his impeachment and removal from office.
—David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 11 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for martial law
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Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 14 Nov. 2025
According to the indictment, prosecutors say memos were found on the phone of Yeo In-hyung, former head of South Korea’s intelligence agency (also indicted), outlining plans to provoke North Korean leader Kim Jong Un into a response that could be used to justify the martial law order.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Nov. 2025
In South Korea, parts of the civil service, legislature and military declined to support President Yoon Suk Yeol’s imposition of martial law in 2024, foiling his autocratic move.
—Shelley Inglis, The Conversation, 19 Oct. 2025
The latter party faced a crisis late last year when former President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law, a decision that ultimately led to his impeachment and removal from office.
—David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 11 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for martial law
Cite this Entry
“Martial law.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/martial%20law. Accessed 19 Nov. 2025.
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