as in law
control of an area by military forces rather than by the police
The government has declared martial law throughout the city to stop the riots. an area placed under martial law
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of martial law
He was elected president in 2019 and would have faced reelection in 2024, but the country has been under martial law since the war.
—
Dan Perry, Newsweek, 2 Mar. 2025
But new presidential elections in Ukraine can’t take place until martial law is lifted.
—Anna Mulrine Grobe, The Christian Science Monitor, 28 Feb. 2025
His comment appeared to be aimed at recent suggestions by Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin that elections should be held despite Ukrainian legislation prohibiting them during martial law.
—Justin Spike and Illia Novikov, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2025
After President Yoon Suk-yeol was impeached and arrested following his aborted imposition of martial law last December, the country’s Constitutional Court will now decide his future.
—Ian Bremmer, TIME, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for martial law
Dan Perry, Newsweek, 2 Mar. 2025
But new presidential elections in Ukraine can’t take place until martial law is lifted.
—Anna Mulrine Grobe, The Christian Science Monitor, 28 Feb. 2025
His comment appeared to be aimed at recent suggestions by Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin that elections should be held despite Ukrainian legislation prohibiting them during martial law.
—Justin Spike and Illia Novikov, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2025
After President Yoon Suk-yeol was impeached and arrested following his aborted imposition of martial law last December, the country’s Constitutional Court will now decide his future.
—Ian Bremmer, TIME, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for martial law
Recent Examples of Synonyms for martial law
Noun
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The truth was somewhere in the middle: No, Kid Nation was never officially charged with violating child labor laws, but one kid did accidentally drink bleach — and another sustained a minor burn while cooking.—
Kristen Baldwin,
EW.com,
20 Mar. 2025
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However, her response states that because legislative bodies are not responsible for enforcing laws, she is blocked from speaking to lawmakers.—
Clare Duffy,
CNN,
20 Mar. 2025
Noun
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It is based upon a legal doctrine rooted in English common law and enshrined in the 11th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which prohibits states from being sued in federal court without their consent.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
3 Sep. 2019
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In each case, the Nonhuman Rights Project demanded that the court issue a common law writ of habeas corpus, a writ typically used to determine whether the detention of a prisoner is lawful, on behalf of a chimpanzee.—
Steven M. Wise,
Foreign Affairs,
11 July 2016
Noun
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The ordinance later implements a 31-night minimum stay, which would take effect Jan. 1, 2027.—
Todd Karpovich,
Baltimore Sun,
14 Mar. 2025
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The county’s ordinance adds provisions to prevent price hikes on short term vacation rentals and care facilities and prevent hoarding of goods to resell.—
Maura Fox,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Texas state Republicans also continue cracking down on abortions with new legislation this year.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA TODAY,
18 Mar. 2025
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The House hasn’t heard any companion legislation yet.—
Romy Ellenbogen,
Miami Herald,
18 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Florida’s 1885 constitution required voter approval for all constitutional amendments beginning in 1886.—
Jeffrey Schweers,
Orlando Sentinel,
16 Mar. 2025
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The critical role of public health agencies The CDC opened in 1946 as a small organization based in Atlanta, aimed at fighting malaria in the U.S. Two years later, representatives from 53 countries ratified the constitution of the WHO.—
Katherine A. Foss,
The Conversation,
11 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Martial law.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/martial%20law. Accessed 27 Mar. 2025.
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