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
The frontiersmen like [Jim] Bridger give way to ideologues like Brigham Young, who were able to marshal the many. —Abbey White, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Jan. 2025 Cushing also marshals anecdotal evidence suggesting Americans are desperate for parties but just don’t know where to find them. —Noah Rothman, National Review, 12 Jan. 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
  • Approach: Pick one routine task — like organizing emails — and let an AI or smart filter handle it for a week.
    — Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
  • Establishing a fully independent judiciary will be essential for organizing free elections, managing political disputes, and rehabilitating the economy, since international investment is often tied to confidence in a country’s legal systems.
    — PATRICK VINCK, Foreign Affairs, 4 Mar. 2025
Definition of organize
Verb
  • Fasting may also be accompanied by a more serious study of the Quran throughout the month.
    — James Powel, USA TODAY, 1 Mar. 2025
  • The palate has a notable sweetness accompanied by red and black fruit notes, a crisp acidity, and a backbone of ripe tannins.
    — Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025
Definition of accompany
Verb
  • Three years later, Ade arranged a romantic trip to Italy for the couple with the intention of asking Houston to be his wife.
    — Megan Pinckney Rutherford, Vogue, 4 Mar. 2025
  • In 1894, Ah Say arranged to have a hundred-and-thirty-foot ceremonial dragon delivered for the community’s annual New Year celebration.
    — Michael Luo, The New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2025
Definition of arrange
Noun
  • The sheriff's office said Tuesday that the company that provides natural gas service for the home made no significant findings after looking for gas leaks and carbon monoxide, the colorless, odorless gas that can be fatal by depriving people from getting enough oxygen.
    — Alex Sundby, CBS News, 7 Mar. 2025
  • The sheriff’s office is expected to release body camera footage from the scene in the coming weeks.
    — Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN, 7 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
  • Listen: The Five Eyes have noticed Hanging over the rapid dissolution of these old relationships is the question of who would lead in the United States’ absence.
    — Shane Harris, The Atlantic, 6 Mar. 2025
  • Helen Gregory and Simon Gillis now lead day-to-day operations as Joint Managing Directors.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 6 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
  • Wednesday’s report also said that Iran has also not reconsidered its September 2023 decision to ban some of the agency’s most experienced inspectors from monitoring its nuclear program.
    — Stephanie Liechtenstein, Los Angeles Times, 26 Feb. 2025
  • There, inspectors visited about 100 properties, nearly all on just three roads — Riverside, Riverhaven and Lake drives.
    — Gavin Off, Charlotte Observer, 26 Feb. 2025
Definition of inspector

Browse Nearby Words

marshal
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 12 Mar. 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'

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

More Commonly Misspelled Words

Words You Always Have to Look Up
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

13 Unusually Long English Words

9 Superb Owl Words

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Birds Say the Darndest Things
See More

Popular Features

See More

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

13 Unusually Long English Words

9 Superb Owl Words
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 Word Game 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
girl-pencil-test
Challenging Standardized Test Words Quiz Vol. 3 You’re on your own for the math section.
See All