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
This is a nation of Constitutional law, not martial law.
—
Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025
Under martial law, elections can't be held.
—Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 26 Sep. 2025
By season 1's conclusion, Fisk has taken over the city's government as mayor, locked away any potential threats to his power in a secret prison, installed his own shadow force of corrupt cops to exact his will, outlawed vigilanteism, and declared martial law.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Sep. 2025
Lee took power in South Korea on June 4 following snap elections called in response to the impeachment of his predecessor Yoon Suk Yeol, whose December declaration of martial law plunged the East Asian nation of 50 million into political crisis.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for martial law
Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025
Under martial law, elections can't be held.
—Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 26 Sep. 2025
By season 1's conclusion, Fisk has taken over the city's government as mayor, locked away any potential threats to his power in a secret prison, installed his own shadow force of corrupt cops to exact his will, outlawed vigilanteism, and declared martial law.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Sep. 2025
Lee took power in South Korea on June 4 following snap elections called in response to the impeachment of his predecessor Yoon Suk Yeol, whose December declaration of martial law plunged the East Asian nation of 50 million into political crisis.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for martial law
Recent Examples of Synonyms for martial law
Noun
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Under state law, countywide petitions must be signed by 15% of those who voted for the office of circuit clerk in the most recent general election.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
3 Nov. 2025
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Detroit Mercy Law to review shipwreck's legal impact The University of Detroit Mercy School of Law will host a special law review symposium on the Fitzgerald shipwreck's 50th anniversary addressing the legal aspect of fatal shipwrecks.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
Freep.com,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The lawsuit claims suppression of speech, retaliation, unreasonable seizure, unreasonably prolonged seizure, excessive force, false imprisonment and common law battery.—
Jennifer Rodriguez,
Miami Herald,
23 Oct. 2025
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Officers James Sribniak and Jack Currie are facing assault and common law offenses.—
Christina Hall,
Freep.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Noun
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No ordinance was passed that declared the bottom 5 percent of Burgher children (later raised to 10) superfluous, but this was the beginning of a long period of economic contraction throughout the empire, and competition for a dwindling supply of guild positions became intense.—
George Packer,
The Atlantic,
6 Nov. 2025
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Elected leaders give city management direction and OK ordinances, while city staff executes those decisions and drafts policies or proposals for the council to consider.—
Shawn Raymundo,
AZCentral.com,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Through several administrations, the filibuster has been weaponized on both sides, preventing the governing party from passing key legislations—including blocking civil rights legislation.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
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The legislation has stalled as Thune remains in a gridlock with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), who argues provisions extending Obamacare tax subsidies must be attached to the CR to gain his support.—
Emily Hallas,
The Washington Examiner,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Advertisement On the Democratic side, Virginia’s legislature has begun the complicated process of working to amend the state constitution to enable redistricting.—
Solcyré Burga,
Time,
5 Nov. 2025
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This expansive reading of the constitution grants much greater powers to the president of the United States than previously accepted.—
Calvin Woodward,
Fortune,
4 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Martial law.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/martial%20law. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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