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

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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

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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
  • While complex Search algorithms organize traditional results page, Web Guide results will be sorted by a custom version of Gemini AI.
    — PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 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
  • Still, the National Weather Service is not anticipating any severe weather to accompany the storms this week.
    — Francesca Pica, jsonline.com, 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
  • Rescuers from several agencies subsequently responded to the scene and proceeded to search for Figueiredo, whose body was found and recovered from the reservoir at about 9:30 p.m., according to the sheriff's office.
    — Emily Mae Czachor July 15, CBS News, 15 July 2025
  • At that point, 911 was called, and dozens of emergency responders searched the reservoir until the man’s body was found at approximately 9:30 p.m. that evening, the sheriff’s office said.
    — Sam Gillette, People.com, 15 July 2025
Definition of sheriff
Verb
  • Topline Congress appears to have backed off of deeper slashes to next year’s National Park Service budget, as advocacy groups mobilize public support through grassroots campaigns.
    — Suzanne Rowan Kelleher, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
  • An additional 2,000 National Guard members were later mobilized for the mission in Los Angeles.
    — Luis Martinez, ABC News, 15 July 2025
Definition of mobilize
Verb
  • Below are the leading nominees by platform for the 2025 Emmys, and the number of programs that received nods.
    — Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 15 July 2025
  • Networking Without the Pressure Rather than leading new introductions with pitches and business cards, relationship-first networking creates room for real conversations.
    — Melissa Houston, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
Definition of lead
Verb
  • The evaluation takes in the full lifecycle of the product and analyses everything from ingredient sourcing and packaging materials to how it’s used and disposed of by the consumer.
    — Stephanie Hirschmiller, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
  • Critics say the city’s decision to buy 750,000 new cans and dispose of 950,000 existing cans is bad for the environment and helped drive up the $43.60 monthly fee the city began charging customers July 1.
    — David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 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

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marshal
marshaled
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Cite this Entry

“Marshal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/marshal. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on marshal

Nglish: Translation of marshal for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about marshal

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