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
Despite such disagreements – a reflection of the country’s deep polarization – many South Koreans are simply thankful to put the instability of the martial law episode behind them.
—
Ann Scott Tyson, Christian Science Monitor, 4 June 2025
But above all, Lee emphasized the importance of rebuilding public trust, badly damaged by the martial law crisis – and punishing those responsible.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 4 June 2025
The other two instances were in U.S. territories, in the Philippines during a 1905 rebellion and in Hawaii after Pearl Harbor, when the Territory of Hawaii was under martial law, but each time acting under congressional grant.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 12 May 2025
The last declaration of martial law was made in May 1980 by the Chun Doo-hwan military junta, which sent special forces units to violently quash pro-democracy protests in the city of Gwangju.
—Max Kim, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for martial law
Ann Scott Tyson, Christian Science Monitor, 4 June 2025
But above all, Lee emphasized the importance of rebuilding public trust, badly damaged by the martial law crisis – and punishing those responsible.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 4 June 2025
The other two instances were in U.S. territories, in the Philippines during a 1905 rebellion and in Hawaii after Pearl Harbor, when the Territory of Hawaii was under martial law, but each time acting under congressional grant.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 12 May 2025
The last declaration of martial law was made in May 1980 by the Chun Doo-hwan military junta, which sent special forces units to violently quash pro-democracy protests in the city of Gwangju.
—Max Kim, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for martial law
Recent Examples of Synonyms for martial law
Noun
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The House passed the Senate version of the BBB on July 3; President Trump signed the bill into law on July 4th.—
Martin Shenkman,
Forbes.com,
6 July 2025
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Sotomayor wrote her own dissent of the majority’s ruling that fuel producers can challenge California emissions standards under a federal air pollution law.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
6 July 2025
Noun
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The common law right of publicity prevents individuals from evoking another’s identity for their own advantage, commercial or otherwise, Ochoa said.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
13 May 2025
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Before the United States’ founding, English common law had established habeas corpus to object to imprisonment.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
11 May 2025
Noun
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Would a foreign government go to the trouble of financing opposition to a relatively minor change of ordinance in a county in the middle of the U.S.?—
Krista Kafer,
Denver Post,
12 July 2025
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The legislature has scheduled a meeting that morning to override White’s expected veto of the ordinance.—
Mike Hendricks,
Kansas City Star,
11 July 2025
Noun
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Families of those who have died from overdoses, those in recovery from substance use disorder and families of struggling individuals supported the legislation, according to Senate Democrats.—
Livi Stanford,
Hartford Courant,
15 July 2025
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The legislation will allocate funding for ICE to hire 10,000 additional agents, according to DHS.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 July 2025
Noun
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The Montana Supreme Court ruled last year that the state’s parental consent law violated the privacy clause in Montana’s constitution.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
4 July 2025
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Let these words echo in the constitution of Syria, the laws, the spirit, and the daily life of the country—words that are worthy of repeating: Syria for all Syrians.—
Nuri Kino,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Martial law.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/martial%20law. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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