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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Recent Examples of martial law
Afterward, Israel imposed martial law in the region, yet Jewish settlement in the occupied area began immediately afterward.
—
Arie Perliger, The Conversation, 18 Sep. 2024
In Portugal, a totalitarian regime imposes martial law that prevents people from moving freely.
—Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 10 Sep. 2024
Speaking to reporters, Packard suggested that the death of an American in Persia was a political maneuver planned as an excuse to declare martial law.
—Francine Uenuma, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Sep. 2024
The junta had just seized power in a coup d’etat and declared martial law when Byung-moon was ordered to count the number of bodies in a minibus after a brigade opened fire on it.
—Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for martial law 
Arie Perliger, The Conversation, 18 Sep. 2024
In Portugal, a totalitarian regime imposes martial law that prevents people from moving freely.
—Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 10 Sep. 2024
Speaking to reporters, Packard suggested that the death of an American in Persia was a political maneuver planned as an excuse to declare martial law.
—Francine Uenuma, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Sep. 2024
The junta had just seized power in a coup d’etat and declared martial law when Byung-moon was ordered to count the number of bodies in a minibus after a brigade opened fire on it.
—Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for martial law
Recent Examples of Synonyms for martial law
Noun
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The 2-1 decision from the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Wednesday comes as the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to hear a challenge to a similar law in Tennessee, which may ultimately determine whether all such state laws around the country can be enforced.Reuters, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
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And in only one case did the delivery person scan the buyer’s ID, as required by federal law.Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024
Noun
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The judge in Hart’s case has yet to rule on the common law immunity argument.Shelly Bradbury, The Denver Post, 12 Nov. 2024
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So, as society’s understanding and treatment of animals have changed, common law also should change to absorb those new norms.Lauren Penington, The Denver Post, 24 Oct. 2024
Noun
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While results so far suggest Orange voters narrowly rejected the local sales tax, Measure AA, a city fireworks ordinance, is set to pass by a wide margin.Jonathan Horwitz, Orange County Register, 6 Nov. 2024
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However, local governments must enact ordinances to adopt regulations.Eleanor McCrary, The Courier-Journal, 6 Nov. 2024
Noun
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While state officials began preparing for a second Trump presidency and Democrats questioned what went wrong with Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign, California passed legislation cracking down on crime and expanding environmental protections across the state.Grant Stringer, The Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2024
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Switzerland voted in 2022 to introduce its own streamer tax-and-quota system; Canada passed legislation to force foreign platforms to directly subsidize local content; and in 2022 Netflix started to pay local taxes in Australia on earnings from that country's users.Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Moreover, the net ban is protected by the constitution already, similar to private property rights.Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 6 Nov. 2024
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Currently, the state constitution allows citizens 18 and older who meet certain residence requirements to vote.Krista Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 5 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near martial law
Cite this Entry
“Martial law.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/martial%20law. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
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