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
After Yoon declared martial law in December, Lee led his party in overturning it and eventually impeaching Yoon.
—
Se Eun Gong, NPR, 2 June 2025
Supporting Yoon’s impeachment, Lee has also condemned Yoon’s unconstitutional abuse of martial law and espousal of election fraud conspiracy theory.
—Jong Eun Lee, The Conversation, 29 May 2025
All this feeds the national fear that Trump will invent a phony emergency to declare martial law in order to postpone the 2026 midterm elections that could — and should — erase his control of Congress.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 13 June 2025
Eventually, as the situation escalates, declaring martial law.
—Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 10 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for martial law
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Se Eun Gong, NPR, 2 June 2025
Supporting Yoon’s impeachment, Lee has also condemned Yoon’s unconstitutional abuse of martial law and espousal of election fraud conspiracy theory.
—Jong Eun Lee, The Conversation, 29 May 2025
All this feeds the national fear that Trump will invent a phony emergency to declare martial law in order to postpone the 2026 midterm elections that could — and should — erase his control of Congress.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 13 June 2025
Eventually, as the situation escalates, declaring martial law.
—Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 10 June 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 25 Jul. 2025.
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