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
Related article South Korea’s president is fighting to stay in office and out of prison after martial law fiasco.
—
Gawon Bae, CNN, 7 Mar. 2025
Investigators have claimed that the martial law decree amounted to rebellion.
—Compiled By Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 7 Mar. 2025
Elections were suspended in Ukraine in February 2022 under martial law that was imposed in response to Russia's full-scale invasion, but Trump and Putin have pressured Ukraine in recent weeks by questioning Zelensky's legitimacy as a leader.
—Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 6 Mar. 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
See All Example Sentences for martial law
Gawon Bae, CNN, 7 Mar. 2025
Investigators have claimed that the martial law decree amounted to rebellion.
—Compiled By Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 7 Mar. 2025
Elections were suspended in Ukraine in February 2022 under martial law that was imposed in response to Russia's full-scale invasion, but Trump and Putin have pressured Ukraine in recent weeks by questioning Zelensky's legitimacy as a leader.
—Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 6 Mar. 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
See All Example Sentences for martial law
Recent Examples of Synonyms for martial law
Noun
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While Caine does not meet prerequisites for the job set out in a 1986 law — such as being a combatant commander or service chief — lawmakers noted his decades of service.—
Tara Copp,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Apr. 2025
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The Supreme Court on Tuesday seemed likely to uphold a law allowing Americans injured by acts of terror in the Middle East to take Palestinian leadership groups to U.S. courts for damages.—
Ella Lee,
The Hill,
1 Apr. 2025
Noun
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It is based upon a legal doctrine rooted in English common law and enshrined in the 11th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which prohibits states from being sued in federal court without their consent.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
3 Sep. 2019
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In each case, the Nonhuman Rights Project demanded that the court issue a common law writ of habeas corpus, a writ typically used to determine whether the detention of a prisoner is lawful, on behalf of a chimpanzee.—
Steven M. Wise,
Foreign Affairs,
11 July 2016
Noun
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Weiss said the prohibition was part of the city’s liquor ordinance.—
Steve Sadin,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Apr. 2025
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The full council is expected to vote on the ordinance Thursday.—
Eleanor Nash,
Kansas City Star,
2 Apr. 2025
Noun
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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
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Lawmakers in Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Iowa, Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, Tennessee, Utah, and West Virginia are currently considering such legislation.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
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 15 Apr. 2025.
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