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
They have been suspended under the martial law since Russia fully invaded.
—
Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 21 Nov. 2025
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
Trump will meet with Japan's new prime minister and talk trade with Korea
South Korea has also recently dealt with its own tumult, having recently elected President Lee Jae Myung, after Lee's predecessor declared martial law and was later impeached.
—Deepa Shivaram, NPR, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for martial law
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Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 21 Nov. 2025
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
Trump will meet with Japan's new prime minister and talk trade with Korea
South Korea has also recently dealt with its own tumult, having recently elected President Lee Jae Myung, after Lee's predecessor declared martial law and was later impeached.
—Deepa Shivaram, NPR, 25 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 29 Nov. 2025.
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