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
By season 1's conclusion, Fisk has taken over the city's government as mayor, locked away any potential threats to his power in a secret prison, installed his own shadow force of corrupt cops to exact his will, outlawed vigilanteism, and declared martial law.
—
Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Sep. 2025
Lee took power in South Korea on June 4 following snap elections called in response to the impeachment of his predecessor Yoon Suk Yeol, whose December declaration of martial law plunged the East Asian nation of 50 million into political crisis.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 17 Sep. 2025
When Marcos declared martial law in 1972, the elder Araneta, a prominent backer of the opposing Liberal Party, fled to New York.
—Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025
Although a state of martial law continues, the main reason that Ukrainian society has mostly held together during the war is close cooperation among the government, private sector, civil society organizations, and citizens themselves.
—Nataliya Gumenyuk, Foreign Affairs, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for martial law
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Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Sep. 2025
Lee took power in South Korea on June 4 following snap elections called in response to the impeachment of his predecessor Yoon Suk Yeol, whose December declaration of martial law plunged the East Asian nation of 50 million into political crisis.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 17 Sep. 2025
When Marcos declared martial law in 1972, the elder Araneta, a prominent backer of the opposing Liberal Party, fled to New York.
—Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025
Although a state of martial law continues, the main reason that Ukrainian society has mostly held together during the war is close cooperation among the government, private sector, civil society organizations, and citizens themselves.
—Nataliya Gumenyuk, Foreign Affairs, 29 Aug. 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 21 Sep. 2025.
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