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
After Trump called for a presidential election in Ukraine, Zelensky signaled readiness for it even though it’s banned under martial law.
—
Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2026
In announcing Yoon and Kim's verdicts, Jee said the decision to send troops to the National Assembly was key to his determination that the imposition of martial law amounted to rebellion.
—Arkansas Online, 20 Feb. 2026
Judge Ji believed Yoon deserved a severe penalty for his martial law decree.
—Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 19 Feb. 2026
Yoon faces eight ongoing trial proceedings and was already given a five-year prison sentence last month in a separate case on charges including obstructing authorities’ attempts to arrest him following his martial law declaration.
—Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for martial law
Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2026
In announcing Yoon and Kim's verdicts, Jee said the decision to send troops to the National Assembly was key to his determination that the imposition of martial law amounted to rebellion.
—Arkansas Online, 20 Feb. 2026
Judge Ji believed Yoon deserved a severe penalty for his martial law decree.
—Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 19 Feb. 2026
Yoon faces eight ongoing trial proceedings and was already given a five-year prison sentence last month in a separate case on charges including obstructing authorities’ attempts to arrest him following his martial law declaration.
—Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for martial law
Recent Examples of Synonyms for martial law
Noun
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The store is owned by the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community on their tribal land and licensed under their cannabis ordinance, which sets rules and regulations consistent with Minnesota laws, according the tribe.—
Frankie McLister,
CBS News,
12 Apr. 2026
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But Arizona law remains unchanged.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Our Revolutionary fathers were influenced by the Bible, particularly as Scripture was interpreted through British common law.—
James O. Cunningham,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 Apr. 2026
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Originating in English common law, jus soli serves as the basis for citizenship in nearly every nation-state in the Western Hemisphere.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The ordinance would also set a ban of the same length for applications regarding Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) sites, facilities that capture energy from various sources and store them in batteries.—
Ilana Arougheti,
Kansas City Star,
9 Apr. 2026
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The commission then gave the floor to the City Council, which took up the ordinance additions.—
Emily Holshouser,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Lawson-Remer’s legislation calls for a seven-person independent ethics commission, with the five supervisors each appointing a commissioner and county counsel appointing the other two.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Apr. 2026
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The legislation would also open up $100,000 in grant funding to cover the cost of operation and maintenance of a water system if that town is in the midst of applying for abandonment.—
Sam Tabachnik,
Denver Post,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Fidesz, whose popularity dropped sharply in the aftermath of the passage of the new constitution, was reëlected with parliamentary super-majorities in the next two elections, in 2014 and 2018, despite receiving less than fifty per cent of the vote.—
Kapil Komireddi,
New Yorker,
10 Apr. 2026
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The first principle, affording everybody equal basic rights and liberties, supersedes everything else and should be anchored in the nation’s constitution.—
George G. Szpiro,
Big Think,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Martial law.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/martial%20law. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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