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
One concern may be calls by South Korean politicians for their country to develop nuclear weapons in response to North Korea’s expanding arsenal; another could be impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s attempt to declare martial law last year, analysts say.
—
Byscience News Staff, science.org, 20 Mar. 2025
To maintain order in a crisis, governments might need to deploy the military domestically, whether by declaring martial law or through other means, and seize property that could be used by foreign governments to conduct spy and sabotage operations.
—Daniel Byman, Foreign Affairs, 13 Mar. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for martial law
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Byscience News Staff, science.org, 20 Mar. 2025
To maintain order in a crisis, governments might need to deploy the military domestically, whether by declaring martial law or through other means, and seize property that could be used by foreign governments to conduct spy and sabotage operations.
—Daniel Byman, Foreign Affairs, 13 Mar. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for martial law
Cite this Entry
“Martial law.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/martial%20law. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.
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