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
  • The Social Security Trustees project that the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund, which pays retirement and survivor benefits, will deplete its reserves in the fourth quarter of 2032 under current law.
    — Ray R. Harris, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Until a 1917 church law was revised in 1983, those who died by suicide were denied Catholic burials on consecrated grounds.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of law
Noun
  • 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
  • In old common law, a testament contained a person’s instructions about how personal property was to be disbursed, while directions about real estate were contained in a will.
    — Bob Carlson, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of common law
Noun
  • The association later won a lawsuit, striking down the city of Berkeley’s ordinance and halting others across the state.
    — Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Mother nature intended these to work together, but ordinances et al treat them as independent.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of ordinance
Noun
  • The White House has formally sent Congress proposed legislation that would impose mandatory minimum sentences on those convicted of fraud involving federal benefit programs, according to a copy of it seen by Semafor.
    — Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Lawmakers also have to make sure legislation applies to large employers with health plans that are governed by federal law.
    — Bob Herman, STAT, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of legislation
Noun
  • After all, these were crucibles meant to test a driver’s car, courage, and constitution—full stop.
    — Robb Report, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2026
  • But if conservatives and independents who claim to believe in the constitution and fiscal responsibility actually vote that way, that will finally change.
    — Scott Maxwell, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of constitution

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Cite this Entry

“Martial law.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/martial%20law. Accessed 13 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on martial law

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about martial law

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