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
Although a state of martial law continues, the main reason that Ukrainian society has mostly held together during the war is close cooperation among the government, private sector, civil society organizations, and citizens themselves.
—
Nataliya Gumenyuk, Foreign Affairs, 29 Aug. 2025
Her husband, Yoon, declared martial law in December, ostensibly as part of a nationwide campaign to root out North Korean sympathizers and anti-South Korean actors within the government.
—Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 29 Aug. 2025
Yoon’s shock martial law order in December and its political fallout has coincided with a dramatic fall from grace for Kim, a wealthy businesswoman who was seen as an important driving force behind her husband’s rise to top office.
—CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2025
He was arrested and faces charges of insurrection over his martial law bid, which carries a maximum penalty of death.
—Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for martial law
Nataliya Gumenyuk, Foreign Affairs, 29 Aug. 2025
Her husband, Yoon, declared martial law in December, ostensibly as part of a nationwide campaign to root out North Korean sympathizers and anti-South Korean actors within the government.
—Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 29 Aug. 2025
Yoon’s shock martial law order in December and its political fallout has coincided with a dramatic fall from grace for Kim, a wealthy businesswoman who was seen as an important driving force behind her husband’s rise to top office.
—CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2025
He was arrested and faces charges of insurrection over his martial law bid, which carries a maximum penalty of death.
—Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for martial law
Recent Examples of Synonyms for martial law
Noun
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The bill lists several topics teachers could discuss, including the religious background of the signers of the Declaration of Independence (which included Protestants and Deists), President George Washington's farewell address and the biblical Ten Commandments' influence on American law.—
Jessie Balmert,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
6 Oct. 2025
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By law, half of the 20,000 available scholarships are required to go to families with no income cap, meaning even those making $1 million or more could qualify.—
Vivian Jones,
Nashville Tennessean,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Officers James Sribniak and Jack Currie are facing assault and common law offenses.—
Christina Hall,
Freep.com,
19 Sep. 2025
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Among the changes are that plan administrators can now aggregate wages from certain separate common law employers when determining if a participant must use the Roth option.—
Aliss Higham,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
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In addition to the cut-through traffic prohibitions for trucks on residential streets, city staff will work with the City Council on ordinance revisions to strengthen penalties on truck operators and owners who do not comply with signs and restrictions.—
Keith Matheny,
Freep.com,
3 Oct. 2025
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The ordinance was intended to keep streets, parks and other property sanitary and minimize public health and safety hazards, according to board documents.—
Sofi Zeman
October 3,
Kansas City Star,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Lawmakers in Florida have attempted to pass similar legislation.—
Mike Snider,
USA Today,
4 Oct. 2025
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The legislation, first passed in 1984, created a mechanism for distributing fines and fees collected in federal criminal cases.—
Ashley Luthern,
jsonline.com,
4 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Under the state constitution, the gifting of certain state properties requires approval by a collective decision-making body comprised of the attorney general, the chief financial officer and the commissioner of agriculture as well as the governor.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
1 Oct. 2025
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The constitution vests states with the power over elections, so that is where the decision lies, Pence said.—
Kayla Dwyer,
IndyStar,
1 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Martial law.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/martial%20law. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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