Synonyms of martial law

martial law

noun

as in law

control of an area by military forces rather than by the police

The government has declared martial law throughout the city to stop the riots.

an area placed under martial law

Related Words

• law
• common law
• ordinance
• legislation
• constitution
• statute
• act
• commandment
• edict
• ruling
• restriction
• amendment
• directive
• regulation
• enactment
• decree
• command
• rule
• ground rule
• fiat
• bill
• blue law
• dictate
• prohibition
• bylaw
• canon
• proscription
• capitulary
• encyclical

Dissimilar Words

• higher law

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of martial law

The case is one of seven trials facing the former conservative president, who was impeached last year following a brief imposition of martial law in December 2024 that triggered South Korea’s biggest political crisis in decades. — ABC News, 13 July 2026

Zelenskyy, who has remained in office under martial law because wartime elections are prohibited, framed the move as part of a broader shift in Ukraine's governing strategy. — Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 13 July 2026

In late 2022, the Kremlin declared martial law in several areas along the border of Ukraine, which allows the government to seize property, restrict movement, limit public gatherings, detain foreigners and forcibly relocate residents, according to the State Department. — Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 28 June 2026

People walk past the Korea Exchange (KRX) building, as stock markets in Asia as a whole have been affected by the intensifying political turmoil over president Yoon Suk Yeol's role in martial law, in Seoul, South Korea, on 9 December, 2024. — Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 23 June 2026