martial law

noun

Definition of martial lawnext
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

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 martial law The president imposed martial law, which prohibits elections from being held, when Russian forces invaded the country in February 2022. — Duarte Dias, CBS News, 23 Aug. 2026 Ukraine has not held presidential or parliamentary elections since 2019, because Ukrainian martial law, which has been in effect since the start of the invasion, prohibits elections in a time of war. — Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2026 Recently ousted Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov escalates tensions by publicly demanding wartime elections, challenging Zelensky’s authority even as Ukraine’s constitution bars national votes under martial law and protests follow his removal. — Hanna Arhirova, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026 Norman notably encouraged the President to declare martial law before Joe Biden’s Inauguration, in 2021, and has been endorsed by several high-profile MAGA figures, including the Utah senator Mike Lee and the South Carolina congresswoman Nancy Mace. — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 11 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for martial law
Recent Examples of Synonyms for martial law
  1. law
  2. common law
  3. ordinance
  4. legislation
  5. constitution
Noun
  • There is a precedent — this idea is an extension of one that is already law.
    — Sarah Cannon, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Advertisement Some may hesitate to perform CPR because of legal concerns over causing injury—like rib fractures—while administering CPR, but every state has Good Samaritan laws providing protections to people who render emergency aid in good faith.
    — Meng Yang, Time, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of law
Noun
  • Immigration violations are civil infractions, not crimes, and both common law and state statutes bar such arrests at courthouses.
    — Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The king’s common law immunity in Britain has likely been inherited by Australia, a former British colony that continues to recognize Britain’s monarch as its own head of state.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of common law
Noun
  • Soto-Martínez’s office said enforcement under the city ordinance interferes with efforts to move unhoused residents into housing.
    — Alejandra Molina, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Minneapolis is considering an ordinance to require human monitors inside autonomous vehicles, which would effectively ban driverless operations.
    — Andrew Hawkins, The Verge, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of ordinance
Noun
  • Others are skeptical the task force can accomplish much in such a short time period, arguing that eventually sweeping new legislation will be needed to regulate AI.
    — Ashley Gold, semafor.com, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Connecticut's legislation covers a broader range of retail purchases.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of legislation
Noun
  • Voters in Charlotte also face six referendums, including three proposals that could amend the state constitution.
    — Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 16 Oct. 2026
  • At the ballot box, voters have overwhelmingly rejected major pieces of the party’s agenda, including an effort to weaken their power to bypass the legislature by amending the constitution or putting laws passed by lawmakers to a statewide vote.
    — Jeremy Kohler, ProPublica, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of constitution

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martial law
martinet
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Cite this Entry

“Martial law.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/martial%20law. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on martial law

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about martial law

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