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

Relevance

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
Craft Viral Moments, Blame Biden Yet some early scenes Tuesday vividly demonstrated the difficulty Democrats, progressives and everyday citizens face in marshaling a tangible response to Trump and the swift, sweeping actions of his second administration. —TIME, 4 Mar. 2025 Coach Erik Spoelstra’s men will marshal the fierce competitiveness that defines Heat Culture to be the proverbial tough out in the first round of the playoffs. —Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2025
Noun
The blaze was put out by 12:20 a.m. FDNY fire marshals on Saturday were trying to determine the cause of each fire. —Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 22 Feb. 2025 The identities led marshals to La Cuesta, the agency said. —Sara Schilling, Sacramento Bee, 4 Feb. 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
  • Incorporating a set of packing cubes can encourage you to pare down and organize your clothing based on the type of clothes or the day.
    — Rylee Johnston, Travel + Leisure, 16 Mar. 2025
  • 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
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
  • 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
  • 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
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
  • His ability to make people feel the urgency and possibility of change mobilized a movement.
    — Brent Gleeson, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Meanwhile, Crawford's supporters are mobilizing Democratic voters by framing the election as a battle against right-wing billionaire influence.
    — Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of mobilize
Verb
  • The thin, delicate skin of the under-eye can easily become dry and flaky, but too emollient of a texture can lead makeup to shift or smudge.
    — Jessica Ourisman, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
  • 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
Definition of lead
Verb
  • Properly extinguish and dispose of any smoking materials.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 19 Mar. 2025
  • No injuries have been reported, but out of caution, customers are urged to return or dispose of them.
    — Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025
Definition of dispose
Noun
  • The inspector said there was not enough parking at the location and that there wasn’t space for delivery trucks.
    — Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 20 Mar. 2025
  • The callback inspection kept Sang’s closed after the inspector counted one dead roach, two rodent droppings under the dishwasher, three rodent droppings on a soy sauce container and over 10 droppings on the floor in the single service goods storage room.
    — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 20 Mar. 2025
Definition of inspector

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“Marshal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/marshal. Accessed 25 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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