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
Last month, authorities in South Korea requested a court warrant to detain impeached Yoon, citing an investigation into whether his brief declaration of martial law on Dec. 3 constituted an act of rebellion.
—
Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025
South Korean lawmakers last month voted to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol and suspend him from duties after his Dec. 3 declaration of martial law stunned the country.
—Reuters, NBC News, 6 Jan. 2025
Yoon’s imposition last month of martial law ended after only six hours when the National Assembly voted 190-0 to lift it despite attempts by heavily armed soldiers to prevent them from voting.
—Kim Tong-Hyung, Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 2025
The South Korean parliament’s unanimous rejection of the president’s surprise declaration of martial law in December, as well as the swift public backlash to the measure, showed that the country’s democratic system of checks and balances is working well.
—Robert E. Kelly, Foreign Affairs, 30 Dec. 2024
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Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025
South Korean lawmakers last month voted to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol and suspend him from duties after his Dec. 3 declaration of martial law stunned the country.
—Reuters, NBC News, 6 Jan. 2025
Yoon’s imposition last month of martial law ended after only six hours when the National Assembly voted 190-0 to lift it despite attempts by heavily armed soldiers to prevent them from voting.
—Kim Tong-Hyung, Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 2025
The South Korean parliament’s unanimous rejection of the president’s surprise declaration of martial law in December, as well as the swift public backlash to the measure, showed that the country’s democratic system of checks and balances is working well.
—Robert E. Kelly, Foreign Affairs, 30 Dec. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Martial law.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/martial%20law. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
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