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

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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
Nieto said the fire marshal will consider asking for a burn ban at the next commissioners court meeting on March 11, if it is warranted. —Bianca Moreno-Paz, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025 Combs then spoke to the court marshals briefly before standing and facing his family. —Lauryn Overhultz , Tracy Wright , Maria Paronich , Brendan McDonald, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2025
Noun
After the Bulls reached a deal Saturday to trade Lonzo Ball to the Cleveland Cavaliers, Jones will fill a crucial playmaking role in helping to marshal the offense. —Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 1 July 2025 Dhillon said civil rights investigators have marshalled a more focused effort to combat the targeting of houses of worship. —Scott MacFarlane, CBS News, 29 June 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 event, organized by the Detroit Chinatown Vision Committee, aims to revitalize the area and attract Asian businesses.
    — Duante Beddingfield, Freep.com, 26 July 2025
  • The Annenberg Foundation helped organize the concert but claims only an advisory role in how the money is spent.
    — William La Jeunesse, FOXNews.com, 25 July 2025
Definition of organize
Verb
  • Instead, leading Senate Republicans released a discussion draft, accompanied by a request for industry feedback, earlier this week.
    — Owen Tedford, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
  • This was accompanied by Osbourne's debut solo single, Crazy Train, which was released in 1987.
    — Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 July 2025
Definition of accompany
Verb
  • Horowitz spent decades arranging for Sondheim’s archives to come to the Library of Congress.
    — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 13 July 2025
  • The controversy comes at a time the United States is trying to arrange a ceasefire in Gaza between Israel and Hamas.
    — Amira El-Fekki‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 July 2025
Definition of arrange
Noun
  • The two-part documentary, out July 29, dives into the perspectives of several people involved, from Roberts to citizens of Rachel to a local sheriff and a military colonel.
    — Raven Brunner, People.com, 29 July 2025
  • Contents in the bag were different items belonging to Homeland Security, the sheriff's office said.
    — Andy Humbles, The Tennessean, 29 July 2025
Definition of sheriff
Verb
  • The clashes — which involve artillery fire and Thailand mobilizing an F-16 fighter jet — come after Thailand recalled its ambassador to Phnom Penh on Wednesday and expelled Cambodia's envoy in Bangkok.
    — Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 25 July 2025
  • The Marines, with 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, were mobilized in June and assisted in protecting federal buildings and personnel.
    — CNN.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 22 July 2025
Definition of mobilize
Verb
  • Those strengths were often neutralized while leading a veteran Phillies team as the organization tried to stave off an ultimately unavoidable rebuild.
    — Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 29 July 2025
  • The Enquirer asked Messer Construction, the company leading the project, about the yellow that now coats parts of where the metal panels are supposed to be.
    — Sydney Franklin, The Enquirer, 29 July 2025
Definition of lead
Verb
  • Institutions that have recalled ground beef are advised not to serve these products and should dispose of them or return them to the place of purchase.
    — Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 30 July 2025
  • Margo killed Abby and left her brother Kyle to dispose of the gun.
    — Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 26 July 2025
Definition of dispose
Noun
  • The next day, city inspectors put a stop-work order on a landscaping project at the brewery that was intended to make room for new trees outside the former 11 Wells Distillery.
    — Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 20 July 2025
  • At that time, the health inspector may close a food establishment at their discretion.
    — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 July 2025
Definition of inspector

Browse Nearby Words

marsh
marshal
marshaled
See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Theme music by Joshua Stamper ©2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP

Cite this Entry

“Marshal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/marshal. Accessed 2 Aug. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on marshal

Nglish: Translation of marshal for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about marshal

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Using Bullet Points ( • )

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Our Best Historical Slang Terms

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Better Ways to Say 'This Sucks'

8 Words with Fascinating Histories
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Our Best Historical Slang Terms

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
iykyk if you know you know slang written in a neon
Quiz: Abbreviation Station TFW you have to figure out what 15 abbreviations ...
See All