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
Seoul, South Korea CNN — South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol, who lawmakers voted to impeach over his declaration of martial law, has been freed from detention after prosecutors decided not to appeal a court decision canceling his arrest.
—
Yoonjung Seo, CNN, 8 Mar. 2025
Reality check: Ukraine has been under martial law since the invasion began, and its constitution does not allow for elections in such a scenario.
—Dave Lawler, Axios, 4 Mar. 2025
Marcos’ declaration of martial law in 1972, which suspended most civil liberties, shuttered what had been Asia’s freest press.
—Ryan MacAsero, The Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2025
Trump and his advisers such as Elon Musk have criticized Ukraine’s indefinite postponement of elections scheduled for 2024, delayed because the country is under martial law following its invasion by Russia.
—Alexander Smith, NBC News, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for martial law
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.
Yoonjung Seo, CNN, 8 Mar. 2025
Reality check: Ukraine has been under martial law since the invasion began, and its constitution does not allow for elections in such a scenario.
—Dave Lawler, Axios, 4 Mar. 2025
Marcos’ declaration of martial law in 1972, which suspended most civil liberties, shuttered what had been Asia’s freest press.
—Ryan MacAsero, The Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2025
Trump and his advisers such as Elon Musk have criticized Ukraine’s indefinite postponement of elections scheduled for 2024, delayed because the country is under martial law following its invasion by Russia.
—Alexander Smith, NBC News, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for martial law
Articles Related to martial law
Cite this Entry
“Martial law.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/martial%20law. Accessed 26 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share