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
Moon Hyung-bae, the Constitutional Court’s head judge, said the martial law decree was unconstitutional because there was no grave national crisis at the time and thus could not be justified.
—
Jade Walker, CNN Money, 4 Apr. 2025
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
Yoon apologized for his brief martial law decree, but later doubled down and defended the move, arguing the liberal party obstructed his political agenda.
—Sophia Vento, The Hill, 8 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for martial law
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Jade Walker, CNN Money, 4 Apr. 2025
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
Yoon apologized for his brief martial law decree, but later doubled down and defended the move, arguing the liberal party obstructed his political agenda.
—Sophia Vento, The Hill, 8 Mar. 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 12 Apr. 2025.
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