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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Recent Examples of martial law
Marcos’s declaration of martial law had turned policing into a tool of political repression.
—
Sean Williams, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
That relatively narrow background may explain his sudden and surprising declaration of national emergency and attempt to impose strict martial law.
—Arthur I. Cyr, Chicago Tribune, 20 Jan. 2026
The ruling is the first judicial decision to address the illegality of both the declaration and implementation of martial law.
—Hakyung Kate Lee, ABC News, 16 Jan. 2026
More recently, in a meeting in August with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Trump appeared to voice approval of Ukraine’s ban on elections under martial law, prompting laughter in the room but alarm among his critics.
—Nik Popli, Time, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for martial law
Sean Williams, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
That relatively narrow background may explain his sudden and surprising declaration of national emergency and attempt to impose strict martial law.
—Arthur I. Cyr, Chicago Tribune, 20 Jan. 2026
The ruling is the first judicial decision to address the illegality of both the declaration and implementation of martial law.
—Hakyung Kate Lee, ABC News, 16 Jan. 2026
More recently, in a meeting in August with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Trump appeared to voice approval of Ukraine’s ban on elections under martial law, prompting laughter in the room but alarm among his critics.
—Nik Popli, Time, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for martial law
Recent Examples of Synonyms for martial law
Noun
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The move comes as nine local district attorneys launched a coalition this week to assist in prosecuting federal law enforcement officers who violate state laws.—
Emma Tucker,
CNN Money,
1 Feb. 2026
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The documents were disclosed as mandated by a law requiring the government to open its files on the late financier and his confidant and onetime girlfriend, Maxwell.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
1 Feb. 2026
Noun
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While under hypnosis, a common law enforcement practice at the time, Bianchi confessed to killing Mandic and Wilder, along with five of the Hillside Strangler victims.—
Kelsey Lentz,
PEOPLE,
18 Jan. 2026
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The media company and its subsidiaries made seven claims against Google, including common law fraud, unjust enrichment and unlawful deceptive acts or practices.—
Sofia Saric,
Miami Herald,
15 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Business owners spoke in opposition to the proposal, telling commissioners that the ordinance would not solve crime in low-income neighborhoods, but instead punish businesses that have been around for years.—
Emily Holshouser,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Jan. 2026
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The ordinance requires larger development projects to hold community meetings at the start of the process, allowing residents to provide input early on before plans are finalized.—
Mona Darwish,
Oc Register,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
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My neighbor friends, Scott and Dwayne, contribute regularly to the Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest civil rights organization, working to achieve LGBTQ equality and influencing legislation on the federal, state and local level.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
30 Jan. 2026
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Federal preemption legislation would establish uniform national standards for AI systems while preserving states’ ability to enforce general consumer protection laws.—
James Richardson,
Fortune,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Betancourt became president through a coup in 1945, putting him in position to fulfill his goal of a democratic constitution.—
The Atlantic,
The Atlantic,
29 Jan. 2026
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This lawsuit argues that the Arkansas ban violates the state constitution and its guarantee that people have the right to equality, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.—
Emma Hinchliffe,
Fortune,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Martial law.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/martial%20law. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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