martial law
noun
1
: the law applied in occupied territory by the military authority of the occupying power
2
: the law administered by military forces that is invoked by a government in an emergency when the civilian law enforcement agencies are unable to maintain public order and safety
Examples of martial law in a Sentence
The government has imposed martial law throughout the city to stop the riots.
an area placed under martial law
Recent Examples on the Web
At the start of proceedings, prosecutors presented their case by arguing Yoon lacked the legal grounds to declare martial law and accused him of trying to paralyse state institutions such as parliament.
—
Joyce Lee, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2025
Second, governments with more democratic characteristics are less likely to use extreme violence such as declaring martial law, routinely committing human rights abuses, or killing large numbers of people.
—Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 10 Apr. 2025
Social media platforms like TikTok have become fertile ground for unfounded theories that President Donald Trump will declare martial law on April 20 — despite any supporting evidence.
—Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
When martial law was first imposed, Lee livestreamed himself climbing the National Assembly fence to bypass the military blockade on his YouTube channel.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for martial law
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Joyce Lee, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2025
Second, governments with more democratic characteristics are less likely to use extreme violence such as declaring martial law, routinely committing human rights abuses, or killing large numbers of people.
—Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 10 Apr. 2025
Social media platforms like TikTok have become fertile ground for unfounded theories that President Donald Trump will declare martial law on April 20 — despite any supporting evidence.
—Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
When martial law was first imposed, Lee livestreamed himself climbing the National Assembly fence to bypass the military blockade on his YouTube channel.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for martial law
Cite this Entry
“Martial law.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/martial%20law. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.
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