marshal 1 of 2

variants also marshall
Definition of marshalnext

marshal

2 of 2

noun

variants also marshall

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb marshal contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of marshal are arrange, methodize, order, organize, and systematize. While all these words mean "to put persons or things into their proper places in relation to each other," marshal suggests gathering and arranging in preparation for a particular operation or effective use.

marshaling the facts for argument

When is it sensible to use arrange instead of marshal?

The synonyms arrange and marshal are sometimes interchangeable, but arrange implies a setting in sequence, relationship, or adjustment.

arranged the files numerically

When would methodize be a good substitute for marshal?

Although the words methodize and marshal have much in common, methodize suggests imposing an orderly procedure rather than a fixed scheme.

methodizes every aspect of daily living

When is order a more appropriate choice than marshal?

In some situations, the words order and marshal are roughly equivalent. However, order suggests a straightening out so as to eliminate confusion.

ordered her business affairs

When can organize be used instead of marshal?

While in some cases nearly identical to marshal, organize implies arranging so that the whole aggregate works as a unit with each element having a proper function.

organized the volunteers into teams

When could systematize be used to replace marshal?

The meanings of systematize and marshal largely overlap; however, systematize implies arranging according to a predetermined scheme.

systematized billing procedures

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 marshal
Verb
At dawn begins an economic D-Day — the single greatest financial offensive ever marshaled against an adversary. — Richard Escobedo, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026 Warnock marshals an enormous amount of information to describe the impact of these issues and to underscore the need to address them. — Terry W. Hartle, Christian Science Monitor, 29 July 2026
Noun
The confrontation then escalated into crossfire, with Weaver’s friend Kevin Harris killing a marshal, and an FBI sniper killing Weaver’s wife, Vicki. — Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2026 The Christiana Riot, also known as the Christiana Resistance, occurred in Christiana, Pennsylvania, where free Black people and escaped slaves successfully resisted a federal marshal’s raid to capture four fugitive slaves. — USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for marshal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for marshal
Verb
  • Nova Mohiuddin, 23, and an organizing member of the UIC student chapter of Chicago Socialist Alternative, was the first to take the mic.
    — Kate Perez, Chicago Tribune, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The events, organized by Michigan Jews for Democracy, represent the latest attempt to ease voter concerns over el Sayed, whose views on Israel and association with pro-Palestinian commentator Hasan Piker have drawn intense scrutiny.
    — David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 8 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • What tomorrow can point the way on, is whether the New Yorkers most affected get to help steer it.
    — Steven Choi, New York Daily News, 4 Oct. 2026
  • That is a neat demonstration of control, though the robot still depends on someone outside the dish to steer it.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 3 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • An intelligence report seen by The Associated Press about the meeting identified Kandahar's governor, Mullah Shireen, as the host and claimed that Afghan and Indian intelligence officials helped arrange the meeting.
    — MUNIR AHMED, Arkansas Online, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Rivera and Nuhfer later helped arrange for Sessions to travel to Caracas in 2018 to meet Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Hawley thanked the sheriff’s office and all law enforcement agencies that assisted the SBI on Saturday and others that offered help.
    — Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 3 Oct. 2026
  • In Mississippi, for two decades, sheriff’s deputies routinely water-boarded and beat people in order to elicit a confession, according to a 2023 investigation by Mississippi Today.
    — Claire Healy, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Eritrean troops fought alongside Ethiopian forces during the war in Tigray, but recently, Ethiopia has accused Eritrea of supporting the rebels and mobilizing support from Egypt and Sudan.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Richard Clough is the EY Global Chief Data Officer, mobilizing the AI Ready Data Strategy and AI Ready Data Governance.
    — Richard Clough, Forbes.com, 5 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The bank is being guided by its Indian workforce in the design of its local program.
    — Sam Birchall, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The mindful alignment of body and mind is the guiding maxim of the spa.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The shoe is classified as a sandal style, but comes up to the knees like a boot.
    — Amina Ayoud, Footwear News, 4 Oct. 2026
  • To classify the upcoming back-to-back games as a test for the cornerbacks would be an understatement.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 4 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Brooklyn Nine-Nine alum Fumero’s character, Teri, is a detective inspector for the New Jersey State Police.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The red dye also allows a road inspector to detect whether a trucker is evading taxes by using the fuel on highways.
    — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Marshal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/marshal. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on marshal

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!