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
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Recent Examples of martial law
South Korea’s Yoon defends his martial law decree in first public appearance since arrest
The trial has also stirred concerns that South Korea is seeing the resurgence of an authoritarian far right.
—
Max Kim, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2025
In December, President Yoon Suk-yeol had attempted to thwart the country’s National Assembly, which was obstructing his agenda, by declaring martial law.
—E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 4 Apr. 2025
One concern may be calls by South Korean politicians for their country to develop nuclear weapons in response to North Korea’s expanding arsenal; another could be impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s attempt to declare martial law last year, analysts say.
—Byscience News Staff, science.org, 20 Mar. 2025
To maintain order in a crisis, governments might need to deploy the military domestically, whether by declaring martial law or through other means, and seize property that could be used by foreign governments to conduct spy and sabotage operations.
—Daniel Byman, Foreign Affairs, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for martial law
Max Kim, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2025
In December, President Yoon Suk-yeol had attempted to thwart the country’s National Assembly, which was obstructing his agenda, by declaring martial law.
—E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 4 Apr. 2025
One concern may be calls by South Korean politicians for their country to develop nuclear weapons in response to North Korea’s expanding arsenal; another could be impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s attempt to declare martial law last year, analysts say.
—Byscience News Staff, science.org, 20 Mar. 2025
To maintain order in a crisis, governments might need to deploy the military domestically, whether by declaring martial law or through other means, and seize property that could be used by foreign governments to conduct spy and sabotage operations.
—Daniel Byman, Foreign Affairs, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for martial law
Recent Examples of Synonyms for martial law
Noun
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The memo signed by Rubio also makes the case that another person, whose name is redacted, should be deportable under the same law.—
Nadine El-Bawab,
ABC News,
11 Apr. 2025
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This relic of constitutional law, which the Supreme Court hasn’t taken seriously since its quiet death in the New Deal era, is more mythical than historical—holding, more or less, that Congress cannot delegate its lawmaking power to another branch of government.—
Cristian Farias,
New Yorker,
10 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The reason why this distinction between common and statutory law matters, at least to Jackson, is because the concept of aiding and abetting arises out of the common law.—
Ian Millhiser,
Vox,
4 Mar. 2025
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Her first couple of years in office saw Moody pursuing initiatives against opioid abuse, human trafficking and other common law enforcement targets.—
Dan Sullivan,
Miami Herald,
17 Jan. 2025
Noun
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In Georgia, tegus can be trapped or killed on private property with the landowner’s permission and using legal methods under local ordinances, animal cruelty laws, and safety precautions.—
Cheryl McCloud,
USA Today,
9 Apr. 2025
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Following the unanimous vote by the council Tuesday, city staff will return with a draft ordinance April 22 and again for a second reading May 13.—
Gary Warth,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Passing the legislation through the House in the face of drama on the floor would deliver Trump a major win.—
Lauren Peller,
ABC News,
9 Apr. 2025
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The 2021 legislation’s passage hinged on that amendment, which was brokered by Lucio, the former lawmaker.—
Saul Elbein,
The Hill,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The first public school in the country, Boston Latin, was founded in Boston a year earlier; the state’s constitution required every town to establish grammar schools.—
Jenna Russell,
New York Times,
6 Apr. 2025
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Facing a major test, South Korea has upheld the constitution and rule of law, but the crisis has also highlighted the relative immaturity of its democratic system, legal experts say.—
Ann Scott Tyson,
Christian Science Monitor,
4 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Martial law.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/martial%20law. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.
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