marshal 1 of 2

verb

variants also marshall
Definition of marshalnext
1
as in to organize
to assemble and make ready for action marshaled their forces for battle

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to accompany
to point out the way for (someone) especially from a position in front marshaling a small group of children on a tour of the science museum

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to arrange
to put into a particular arrangement marshal your arguments before you stand up to speak

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

marshal

2 of 2

noun

variants also marshall
as in sheriff

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb marshal contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of marshal are arrange, methodize, order, organize, and systematize. While all these words mean "to put persons or things into their proper places in relation to each other," marshal suggests gathering and arranging in preparation for a particular operation or effective use.

marshaling the facts for argument

When is it sensible to use arrange instead of marshal?

The synonyms arrange and marshal are sometimes interchangeable, but arrange implies a setting in sequence, relationship, or adjustment.

arranged the files numerically

When would methodize be a good substitute for marshal?

Although the words methodize and marshal have much in common, methodize suggests imposing an orderly procedure rather than a fixed scheme.

methodizes every aspect of daily living

When is order a more appropriate choice than marshal?

In some situations, the words order and marshal are roughly equivalent. However, order suggests a straightening out so as to eliminate confusion.

ordered her business affairs

When can organize be used instead of marshal?

While in some cases nearly identical to marshal, organize implies arranging so that the whole aggregate works as a unit with each element having a proper function.

organized the volunteers into teams

When could systematize be used to replace marshal?

The meanings of systematize and marshal largely overlap; however, systematize implies arranging according to a predetermined scheme.

systematized billing procedures

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 marshal
Verb
Brian Carter, Paragould's fire marshal, announced his bid for the seat in July. —Ella McCarthy, Arkansas Online, 26 Sep. 2025 Boat parade marshal is NB native Actor and Newport Beach native Ted McGinley is this year’s grand marshal for opening night of the 117th annual Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade. —Samantha Gowen, Oc Register, 22 Sep. 2025
Noun
Leo chose his name in reference to the last Pope Leo XIII, who led the church from 1878 to 1903, one of the longest papal reigns, and is known for marshaling the church into the modern world. —Connor Greene, Time, 15 Oct. 2025 Back in June, Chiland, a Los Angeles public-school teacher, heard rumors that National Guard troops were being marshalled on Terminal Island in preparation to arrest anti-ICE demonstrators across the city. —Oren Peleg, New Yorker, 7 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for marshal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for marshal
  1. organize
  2. accompany
  3. arrange
  4. sheriff
  5. mobilize
  6. lead
  7. dispose
  8. inspector
Verb
  • Bessent, who specialized in foreign exchange in a decades-long hedge fund career, organized a $20 billion foreign-exchange swap with Argentina’s central bank earlier this month — an unusual structure that bypassed the US Federal Reserve, which is typically the lead party in such arrangements.
    — Daniel Flatley, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2025
  • Alani organized a letter signed by more than 300 former IDS staffers asking for the IU Student Publications Alumni Board to be included in conversations about the IDS's future.
    — Cate Charron, IndyStar, 27 Oct. 2025
Definition of organize
Verb
  • White is accompanied on the emotional adventure by Jeremy Strong, who plays Springsteen's co-producer and manager Jon Landau, as well as Paul Walter Hauser, Stephen Graham, and Odessa Young.
    — Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Although only five minutes in length, The Magic Lantern gives us a momentary glimpse of the magic of cinema as a burgeoning medium and the inchoate experimentation that accompanied its first decades as a studio invention.
    — Erik Morse, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2025
Definition of accompany
Verb
  • There, McIlroy was seen posing for photos with several of his trophies arranged on the basalt rocks, paying tribute to a season that many consider his most meaningful of all time.
    — Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Victoria Goodwin was sentenced to prison in May for arranging the plot with a Florida inmate.
    — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Oct. 2025
Definition of arrange
Noun
  • The sheriff's office previously shared video of the shooting, showing Jawad backing an SUV out of the garage and driving down the driveway.
    — Christina Hall, Freep.com, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Ada County sheriff’s spokesperson Emily Walker declined to comment, citing pending litigation.
    — Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 22 Oct. 2025
Definition of sheriff
Verb
  • But can talking about the cost of living mobilize young people?
    — Jay Stahl, USA Today, 25 Oct. 2025
  • By mobilizing the peoples of South America.
    — Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
Definition of mobilize
Verb
  • As a direct result of this, businesses end up with managers who aren’t confident in their ability to lead, and who struggle to deal with the various challenges that come with managing people, leading both employees and struggling managers to resign.
    — Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2025
  • The Pima Critical Incident Team was activated after the incident with the Oro Valley Police Department assigned to lead the investigation, Adger said.
    — Julie Mendes, AZCentral.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Definition of lead
Verb
  • The report described the image allegedly showing two men disposing of food waste near Northwest 17th Avenue and 29th Street.
    — Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
  • Never dispose of live charcoal on the ground.
    — CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 28 Oct. 2025
Definition of dispose
Noun
  • Many seemed to believe the dashing man was the chief inspector on the case, while some even speculated his dapper appearance hinted at an elegant criminal who was involved in the heist somehow.
    — Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2025
  • During the preliminary hearing, Budd — through his attorney — accused a District Attorney inspector of attempting to influence Doe’s testimony through hand signals from the courtroom gallery.
    — Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 21 Oct. 2025
Definition of inspector

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Cite this Entry

“Marshal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/marshal. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on marshal

Nglish: Translation of marshal for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about marshal

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