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
  • Pan, a pediatrician, made national headlines while in the Legislature for leading California’s efforts to enact strict school vaccine laws.
    — Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2026
  • The president and his allies have insisted that existing liability laws offer enough protections.
    — Jeff Masonand Michael Shepard Bloomberg, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of law
Noun
  • The king’s common law immunity in Britain has likely been inherited by Australia, a former British colony that continues to recognize Britain’s monarch as its own head of state.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 28 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
  • Local authorities also knew about the fireworks facility but did not conduct safety inspections or ensure that the companies followed local ordinances or state hazardous materials laws.
    — Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Their best option would be to present a motion at the County Commission’s first October meeting to repeal the ordinance establishing the force.
    — Zoey Thomas, Miami Herald, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of ordinance
Noun
  • The White House has formally sent Congress proposed legislation that would impose mandatory minimum sentences on those convicted of fraud involving federal benefit programs, according to a copy of it seen by Semafor.
    — Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Lawmakers also have to make sure legislation applies to large employers with health plans that are governed by federal law.
    — Bob Herman, STAT, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of legislation
Noun
  • That's important because ballot secrecy is a fundamental right under the state constitution and violations could create an opening for legal challenges.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Oct. 2026
  • This ballot measure would amend the state constitution to nix that system by first asking voters to choose whether or not to oust an official.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 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 7 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on martial law

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about martial law

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