federal case

noun

: big deal
don't make a federal case out of it

Examples of federal case in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Indeed, in recent weeks, judges in two federal cases have drawn a line that seems to have eluded many others contemplating AI. Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026 McGrath previously said the village and plaintiffs in the police chase lawsuit together hope to recover as much as $100 million from the insurance company, though the federal case is expected to continue for at least five years. Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2026 Kaplan and Agnifilo are representing Luigi Mangione in his state and federal cases in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026 The revised law has rarely been used in the South Florida region, according to a review of federal cases filed in the Southern District of Florida. Jay Weaver, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for federal case

Word History

First Known Use

1950, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of federal case was in 1950

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Cite this Entry

“Federal case.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/federal%20case. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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