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
Although a state of martial law continues, the main reason that Ukrainian society has mostly held together during the war is close cooperation among the government, private sector, civil society organizations, and citizens themselves.
—
Nataliya Gumenyuk, Foreign Affairs, 29 Aug. 2025
Her husband, Yoon, declared martial law in December, ostensibly as part of a nationwide campaign to root out North Korean sympathizers and anti-South Korean actors within the government.
—Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 29 Aug. 2025
Yoon’s shock martial law order in December and its political fallout has coincided with a dramatic fall from grace for Kim, a wealthy businesswoman who was seen as an important driving force behind her husband’s rise to top office.
—CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2025
He was arrested and faces charges of insurrection over his martial law bid, which carries a maximum penalty of death.
—Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for martial law
Nataliya Gumenyuk, Foreign Affairs, 29 Aug. 2025
Her husband, Yoon, declared martial law in December, ostensibly as part of a nationwide campaign to root out North Korean sympathizers and anti-South Korean actors within the government.
—Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 29 Aug. 2025
Yoon’s shock martial law order in December and its political fallout has coincided with a dramatic fall from grace for Kim, a wealthy businesswoman who was seen as an important driving force behind her husband’s rise to top office.
—CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2025
He was arrested and faces charges of insurrection over his martial law bid, which carries a maximum penalty of death.
—Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for martial law
Recent Examples of Synonyms for martial law
Noun
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Safety information California law states that everyone under the age of 18 years must wear a bike helmet while riding a bicycle.—
Carlos Rico,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Sep. 2025
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Vedra and other debt law experts said a high rate of default judgments indicates a system that favors the pursuers over the pursued — and increases the chances someone will be harmed by an erroneous bill.—
Rae Ellen Bichell,
Fortune,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Officers James Sribniak and Jack Currie are facing assault and common law offenses.—
Christina Hall,
Freep.com,
19 Sep. 2025
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Among the changes are that plan administrators can now aggregate wages from certain separate common law employers when determining if a participant must use the Roth option.—
Aliss Higham,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Louisville lawmakers have passed an ordinance that ends permit requirements for some protests — an effort led by a Republican council member who has in the past called out Mayor Craig Greenberg's administration for not enforcing the city's permitting rules.—
Killian Baarlaer,
Louisville Courier Journal,
26 Sep. 2025
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These laws apply to all buildings three stories or higher—coastal and inland—unless city or county ordinances impose even stricter standards.—
Maria Williams,
USA Today,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, both New York Democrats, have rejected a short-term bill, demanding that any legislation undo recent Republican cuts to healthcare programs.—
Terry Moseley,
USA Today,
28 Sep. 2025
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What’s not okay is the hypocrisy of backing forceful legislation that restricts what people, trans and otherwise, can do with their own bodies.—
Center Square,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Under the state constitution, the gifting of certain state properties requires approval by a collective decision-making body comprised of the attorney general, the chief financial officer and the commissioner of agriculture as well as the governor.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
1 Oct. 2025
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The constitution vests states with the power over elections, so that is where the decision lies, Pence said.—
Kayla Dwyer,
IndyStar,
1 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Martial law.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/martial%20law. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
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