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 South Korea shifted to a softer tone under current liberal President Lee Jae Myung, who took office last year after his conservative predecessor Yoon Suk Yeol was ousted over his brief imposition of martial law in December 2024. — ABC News, 15 Sep. 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 department also filed a motion in support of a separate lawsuit filed in May that argues California violates national voting laws by failing to sufficiently remove ineligible voters from its rolls.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Congress must put lasting protections for scientific independence into law.
    — Carole LaBonne, Washington Post, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of law
Noun
  • Watson has been charged with felony robbery with a dangerous weapon and felony common law robbery, police said.
    — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Immigration violations are civil infractions, not crimes, and both common law and state statutes bar such arrests at courthouses.
    — Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of common law
Noun
  • The ordinance, approved Tuesday and introduced by Mayor John Heilman, allows people to register their multi-partner relationships with the city, giving them rights to hospital visitation and additional tenant protections, among other benefits.
    — Suhauna Hussain, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026
  • The Sheriff’s Office will have its deputies enforce this ordinance if adopted; the agency is not requesting additional funding or personnel to do so.
    — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of ordinance
Noun
  • And if Democrats take the Senate as well on Tuesday, party-line legislation to circumvent the filibuster should be on the table, Casar said.
    — Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 2 Nov. 2026
  • But since daylight saving time has ended, enacting the law now would mean an immediate one-hour time jump forward across the country, barring changes to the legislation.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of legislation
Noun
  • Throughout, there’s a lingering sadness, which is properly explored in a superb episode made up of a trifecta of flashbacks, and his dour constitution still pairs perfectly with Helen’s reassuring nature.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 5 Nov. 2026
  • The most contentious vote was in Missouri, where just two years ago voters narrowly approved a measure to enshrine the right to reproductive freedom in the constitution.
    — Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 5 Nov. 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 10 Nov. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on martial law

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about martial law

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