marshal 1 of 2

verb

variants also marshall
Definition of marshalnext
1
as in to organize
to assemble and make ready for action marshaled their forces for battle

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to accompany
to point out the way for (someone) especially from a position in front marshaling a small group of children on a tour of the science museum

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to arrange
to put into a particular arrangement marshal your arguments before you stand up to speak

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

marshal

2 of 2

noun

variants also marshall
as in sheriff

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
To make this case, Mr. Benz has marshaled the decades-old work of left-wing journalists and scholars, such as the historian Alfred McCoy, whose research on the C.I.A. and U.S.A.I.D.’s role in heroin trafficking in Southeast Asia earned the ire of the C.I.A. in the early 1970s. —Charles Homans, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2025 The bureau marshaled on, with recent work including capping bank overdraft fees and removing medical debt from consumer credit reports. —Matt Sedensky, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2025
Noun
Frizell, a former Minneapolis police officer, left Metro Transit in May 2022 after being selected to be U.S. marshal of the District of Minnesota and becoming the first Black person in the state’s history to hold the position. —Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 15 Feb. 2025 Authorities said the marshals opened fire when Jones charged at them with a knife. —Jason Green, The Mercury News, 24 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for marshal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for marshal
  1. organize
  2. accompany
  3. arrange
  4. sheriff
  5. mobilize
  6. lead
  7. dispose
  8. inspector
Verb
  • The exhibit and sale, organized by Pacific Palisades native Heidi Farkash, will feature more than 250 artworks donated by San Diego County artists and art collectors, including works by James Hubbell, Italo Scanga, Larry Groff, James Aitchison, Joe Garcia and more.
    — Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Mar. 2025
  • Amazon sales rose nearly 6% during an eight-day boycott organized by an activist group, challenging the effectiveness of consumer activism against the retail giant.
    — Kiri Masters, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025
Definition of organize
Verb
  • Chastened by the nationalistic fervor that accompanied the victory over Austria, the Diet capitulated.
    — Christine Adams / Made by History, TIME, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Photo : Andrew Hoppin/Portal Media The wet bar is accompanied by a cozy conversation space alongside the kitchen.
    — Tori Latham, Robb Report, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of accompany
Verb
  • Every morning, the monks gathered there, arranging themselves on the long stone benches, to discuss the matters of the day.
    — Amanda Petrusich, The New Yorker, 17 Mar. 2025
  • The institute once arranged for a Purim care package to be airdropped to a Jewish Coast Guard member 700 miles off the coast of Alaska, for example.
    — Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 17 Mar. 2025
Definition of arrange
Noun
  • Those agencies are the Wisconsin State Patrol, the New York State Police, the Newark Police Department, the sheriff's offices in California's San Diego and Orange counties, the Colorado State Patrol, and the Boulder County Sheriff's Office.
    — Chris Hacker, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2025
  • The sheriff’s office and an arrest warrant said Smith shut the cats in a bedroom and didn’t check on them or give them water for a week and a half.
    — Jeff A. Chamer, Charlotte Observer, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of sheriff
Verb
  • During the first Trump administration, scientific institutions and grassroots groups mobilized to back up federal data.
    — Monica Sanders, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
  • The community has mobilized for the massive search, with dozens of volunteers helping numerous agencies comb nearly 400 acres of woodland.
    — Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 3 Mar. 2025
Definition of mobilize
Verb
  • Elon Musk, who backed Trump during his campaign for president, has been leading an effort called the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, to slash government spending.
    — Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2025
  • Their newfound freedom may also lead them to take lots of excursions.
    — Laura Broadwell, Parents, 18 Mar. 2025
Definition of lead
Verb
  • Like in a typical Chapter 11, Hudson’s Bay will be examining its store fleet, payroll and other operations and assets to determine what should be kept or disposed.
    — David Moin, WWD, 7 Mar. 2025
  • Properly extinguish and dispose of any smoking materials.
    — Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025
Definition of dispose
Noun
  • When a property stylist staged a home with a controversial cookbook, discussion about her choice went viral after a home inspector posted a video about it to TikTok.
    — William Lambers, Newsweek, 10 Mar. 2025
  • Yet a 2023 inspector's general report found that almost none of the deceased individuals listed in the database are receiving Social Security payments.
    — Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, 9 Mar. 2025
Definition of inspector

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“Marshal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/marshal. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on marshal

Nglish: Translation of marshal for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about marshal

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