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martial law

noun

Definition of martial lawnext
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

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of martial law The president imposed martial law, which prohibits elections from being held, when Russian forces invaded the country in February 2022. — Duarte Dias, CBS News, 23 Aug. 2026 Ukraine has not held presidential or parliamentary elections since 2019, because Ukrainian martial law, which has been in effect since the start of the invasion, prohibits elections in a time of war. — Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2026 Recently ousted Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov escalates tensions by publicly demanding wartime elections, challenging Zelensky’s authority even as Ukraine’s constitution bars national votes under martial law and protests follow his removal. — Hanna Arhirova, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026 Norman notably encouraged the President to declare martial law before Joe Biden’s Inauguration, in 2021, and has been endorsed by several high-profile MAGA figures, including the Utah senator Mike Lee and the South Carolina congresswoman Nancy Mace. — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 11 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for martial law
Recent Examples of Synonyms for martial law
  1. law
  2. common law
  3. ordinance
  4. legislation
  5. constitution
Noun
  • The system is a maze in which laws collide with gray areas, where layers upon layers of policy have accumulated over decades in a pile waiting for reform that has never come.
    — Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026
  • California community colleges will be able to offer more bachelor’s degrees under a law signed by the governor.
    — Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of law
Noun
  • This unprecedented prosecution is in flagrant violation of common law principles.
    — Luke Barr, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026
  • In old common law, a testament contained a person’s instructions about how personal property was to be disbursed, while directions about real estate were contained in a will.
    — Bob Carlson, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of common law
Noun
  • The city, however, maintains that failing to microchip or spay or neuter a dog violates city ordinances but falls short of abuse.
    — Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Festival in London, which featured performances from Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean (though their set was abruptly cut short due to a noise ordinance, which Chappelle criticized).
    — Jaeden Pinder, Rolling Stone, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of ordinance
Noun
  • The Pentagon would be relying on authorities provided by the Defense Production Act and annual defense legislation from 2017, Paoletta continued, as well as Article II of the Constitution.
    — Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 21 Sep. 2026
  • The move represents a reversal for the governor, who last year vetoed legislation to require data centers to report water use and expressed support for the facilities that serve artificial intelligence platforms.
    — Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of legislation
Noun
  • Ukraine’s constitution bars elections from being held under martial law, which was introduced after Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
    — Zahra Ullah, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Proposition 43 would amend the state constitution to require two-thirds of voters to approve local special taxes proposed through citizen initiatives.
    — Naomi Taxay, Sacbee.com, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of constitution

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martial
martial law
martinet
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Cite this Entry

“Martial law.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/martial%20law. Accessed 22 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on martial law

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about martial law

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