Marshal — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈmär-shəl/ mar·shal

Meaning & Definition of Marshal

Marshal (noun)

  1. a high official in the household of a medieval king, prince, or noble originally having charge of the cavalry but later usually in command of the military forces
  2. a person who arranges and directs the ceremonial aspects of a gathering
  3. field marshal

Marshal (verb)

  1. to place in proper rank or position
  2. to bring together and order in an appropriate or effective way
  3. to lead ceremoniously or solicitously, usher

Marshal (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to assemble and make ready for action

    "marshaled their forces for battle"

    similar: mobilize, muster, rally
    related: arrange, group, line up, order, organize, call (up), convene, summon, activate, collect, round up
    opposite: demob (chiefly British), demobilize
    near: disarrange, disorder, disorganize, disrupt, disturb, deactivate, dismiss, break up, disband, dissolve, split (up)

  2. 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"

    similar: conduct, direct, guide, lead, pilot, route, show, steer, usher
    related: precede, accompany, attend, chaperone, convoy, escort, see, control, manage
    opposite: follow, trail
    near: dog, hound, shadow, tail, tailgate

  3. to put into a particular arrangement

    "marshal your arguments before you stand up to speak"

    similar: arrange, array, classify, codify, dispose, draw up, lay out, order, organize, range, systematize
    related: groom, make up, spruce (up), straighten (up), tidy (up), unscramble, align, cue, line, line up, queue, alphabetize, file, hierarchize, prioritize, sequence, emplace, place, set, display, map (out), set out
    opposite: derange, disarrange, disarray, disorder, mess (up), muss (up), rumple, upset

Marshal (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in sheriff, trooper

    similar: sheriff, trooper, detective, dick, gumshoe, hawkshaw, inspector, investigator, plainclothesman, sherlock, sleuth, sleuthhound, peace officer, patrolman, policewoman, captain, lieutenant, sergeant, bobby (British), bull (slang), constable (chiefly British), cop, copper, flatfoot (slang), fuzz, gendarme, lawman, officer, policeman, police officer, shamus (slang), constabulary, heat (slang), man, police, police force, operative, private detective, private eye, private investigator
    opposite: civilian

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Marshal

The most common words with a similar meaning to Marshal:

Slang: bull, flatfoot, shamus, heat
British: bobby
Chiefly British: constable
mobilize, muster, rally, conduct, direct, guide, lead, pilot, route, show, steer, usher, arrange, array, classify, codify, dispose, draw up, lay out, order, organize, range, systematize, sheriff, trooper, detective, dick, gumshoe, hawkshaw, inspector, investigator, plainclothesman, sherlock, sleuth, sleuthhound, peace officer, patrolman, policewoman, captain, lieutenant

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Marshal

Words with the opposite meaning of Marshal:

demob, demobilize, follow, trail, derange, disarrange, disarray, disorder, mess (up), muss (up), rumple, upset, civilian

Related Words for Marshal

group, line up, call (up), convene, summon, activate, collect, round up, precede, accompany, attend, chaperone, convoy, escort, see, control, manage, groom, make up, spruce (up), straighten (up), tidy (up), unscramble, align, cue, line, queue, alphabetize, file, hierarchize

Near Antonyms of Marshal

disorganize, disrupt, disturb, deactivate, dismiss, break up, disband, dissolve, split (up), dog, hound, shadow, tail, tailgate

Word Forms of Marshal

Inflections: marshaled, marshalled, marshaling, marshalling

Derived words: marshalcy (noun), marshalship (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Marshal

Middle English, from Anglo-French mareschal, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German marahscalc marshal, from marah horse + scalc servant

First known use: 13th century

Words & Phrases Containing Marshal

marshal of the Royal Air Force, air chief marshal, air marshal, air vice-marshal, earl marshal, field marshal, grand marshal, provost marshal

Frequently Asked Questions about Marshal

What does "Marshal" mean?

"Marshal" means a high official in the household of a medieval king, prince, or noble originally having charge of the cavalry but later usually in command of the military forces. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: a high official in the household of a medieval king, prince, or noble originally having charge of the cavalry but later usually in command of the military forces. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Marshal"?

Other words for "Marshal" include mobilize, muster, rally, conduct, direct, guide, lead and pilot. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Marshal" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Marshal"?

There are 101 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Marshal". Common alternatives include mobilize, muster, rally, conduct, direct, guide, lead, pilot, route and show.

What is a slang word for "Marshal"?

Slang words for "Marshal" include bull, flatfoot, shamus and heat.

What is the opposite of "Marshal"?

Antonyms of "Marshal" include demob, demobilize, follow, trail, derange, disarrange, disarray and disorder. Near antonyms include disorganize, disrupt, disturb and deactivate.

How do you use "Marshal" in a sentence?

Examples of "Marshal" in a sentence: "marshaled their forces for battle"; "marshaling a small group of children on a tour of the science museum"; "marshal your arguments before you stand up to speak".

Is "Marshal" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Marshal" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Marshal"?

"Marshal" is pronounced /ˈmär-shəl/ and divided into syllables as mar·shal.