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
The martial law lasted six hours as he was forced to lift it after the assembly unanimously voted it down.
—
Hyung-Jin Kim, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026
Because the film was made during censorship under martial law in Taiwan, the film was heavily cut.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 27 Apr. 2026
And by 1987 Taiwan would lift martial law — imposed since 1949 — under pressure from protesters.
—Michelle Kuo, The Dial, 14 Apr. 2026
The island only held its first democratic elections in the early 1990s, following decades of martial law under the KMT.
—Wayne Chang, CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for martial law
Hyung-Jin Kim, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026
Because the film was made during censorship under martial law in Taiwan, the film was heavily cut.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 27 Apr. 2026
And by 1987 Taiwan would lift martial law — imposed since 1949 — under pressure from protesters.
—Michelle Kuo, The Dial, 14 Apr. 2026
The island only held its first democratic elections in the early 1990s, following decades of martial law under the KMT.
—Wayne Chang, CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for martial law
Recent Examples of Synonyms for martial law
Noun
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Under Florida law, a first-time DUI conviction can carry penalties that include fines, probation, community service and a driver's license suspension, though any potential penalties in this case would depend on the outcome of court proceedings.—
Brittany Miller,
FOXNews.com,
14 June 2026
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For Claire Gregory, however, that expectation never fully aligned with reality, despite earning her law degree, passing two bar exams and working across various areas of the legal field.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
13 June 2026
Noun
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Thorpe is attempting to charge the king under Indigenous law that has existed for more than 65,000 years, state common law and federal criminal law, court documents show.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 June 2026
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Many civil law countries do not recognize trusts in the same way common law jurisdictions do.—
Virginia La Torre Jeker,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
Noun
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South Strabane Township's board of supervisors passed two ordinances related to data center development during a meeting on Tuesday.—
Jennifer Borrasso,
CBS News,
10 June 2026
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Meanwhile, the DeKalb County Commissioners are reportedly reviewing local rules and ordinances after residents raised concerns during a public meeting on June 8.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
10 June 2026
Noun
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This legislation would require employers to pay employees their regular wages during jury service, a long-overdue reform that addresses one of the most persistent barriers to equal participation in our justice system.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
12 June 2026
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Councilmember Jordan Botta, who sponsored the bill, said the legislation was driven by years of hearing from tenants living without basic necessities like gas, water or reliable air conditioning.—
Gabby Sartori,
USA Today,
12 June 2026
Noun
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In the previous three annual meetings, a majority of representatives voted to amend the SBC constitution to ban churches with women in any pastoral role.—
Peter Smith,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026
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The amendment still needs another two-thirds vote at next year's annual meeting before becoming part of the denomination's constitution.—
WTVC Staff,
Baltimore Sun,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Martial law.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/martial%20law. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
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