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
The country’s president, Yoon Suk Yeol, was impeached after declaring martial law last month.
—
Daisuke Wakabayashi, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2025
One of the lawyers also criticized unproven claims of irregularities at the election commission, which Yoon cited as a factor for justifying martial law.
—Reuters, CNN, 21 Jan. 2025
Whether Yoon plotted to launch such a body would help explain his intentions for martial law.
—Hyung-Jin Kim, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2025
Nearly seven years on, the country is still under martial law.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 21 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for martial law 
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.
Daisuke Wakabayashi, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2025
One of the lawyers also criticized unproven claims of irregularities at the election commission, which Yoon cited as a factor for justifying martial law.
—Reuters, CNN, 21 Jan. 2025
Whether Yoon plotted to launch such a body would help explain his intentions for martial law.
—Hyung-Jin Kim, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2025
Nearly seven years on, the country is still under martial law.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 21 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for martial law
Articles Related to martial law
Dictionary Entries Near martial law
Cite this Entry
“Martial law.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/martial%20law. Accessed 27 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share