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
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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 island only held its first democratic elections in the early 1990s, following decades of martial law under the KMT.
—
Wayne Chang, CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2026
Translation: the Trump administration could be laying the groundwork for a false flag terrorist attack that would allow Trump to declare martial law, cancel or nullify the midterm elections and shift the nation further towards a dictatorship.
—John Whitehead, Oc Register, 7 Apr. 2026
Back then, Cheng was known for her criticism of the KMT, which ruled Taiwan under martial law until 1987.
—Janis MacKey Frayer, NBC news, 4 Apr. 2026
Violence was so prevalent that, in 1871, Grant invoked martial law in South Carolina.
—Kori Schake, The Atlantic, 22 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for martial law
Wayne Chang, CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2026
Translation: the Trump administration could be laying the groundwork for a false flag terrorist attack that would allow Trump to declare martial law, cancel or nullify the midterm elections and shift the nation further towards a dictatorship.
—John Whitehead, Oc Register, 7 Apr. 2026
Back then, Cheng was known for her criticism of the KMT, which ruled Taiwan under martial law until 1987.
—Janis MacKey Frayer, NBC news, 4 Apr. 2026
Violence was so prevalent that, in 1871, Grant invoked martial law in South Carolina.
—Kori Schake, The Atlantic, 22 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for martial law
Recent Examples of Synonyms for martial law
Noun
-
This case is an example of what the accountability law was designed to do, and not necessarily a sign that POST is taking a tougher stance on police shootings, according to Meagan Poulos, an agency spokesperson.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
2 May 2026
-
However, the information provided was inaccurate and did not align with county election law.—
Jenna Ebbers,
Kansas City Star,
2 May 2026
Noun
-
Our Revolutionary fathers were influenced by the Bible, particularly as Scripture was interpreted through British common law.—
James O. Cunningham,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Originating in English common law, jus soli serves as the basis for citizenship in nearly every nation-state in the Western Hemisphere.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
To take effect, the City Council would need to approve a vacation rental ordinance.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
-
As far back as the 1960s, local ordinances banned disruptive behavior such as loud radios, overnight stays in public areas and picnicking on lawns, Time Out reported.—
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The 1973 war legislation makes no mention of an exception in the case of ceasefire.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
2 May 2026
-
Under the legislation, electric scooters, electric skateboards, and electric unicycles would be prohibited from operating over 28 mph on roads, bike lanes, bike paths, and sidewalks.—
Jermont Terry,
CBS News,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
Florida’s new districts are certain to face lawsuits as well, especially because the state constitution prohibits redistricting for explicitly partisan purposes.—
Bill Barrow,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
-
But pension protection is written in the state constitution, something not likely to change.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Martial law.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/martial%20law. Accessed 4 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
