federalize

verb

fed·​er·​al·​ize ˈfe-d(ə-)rə-ˌlīz 

federalized; federalizing

transitive verb

1

: to unite in or under a federal system

2

: to bring under the jurisdiction of a federal government

Examples of federalize in a Sentence

The measure federalizes several state programs.

Recent Examples on the Web

National Guard troops in Memphis have not been federalized. —Vivian Jones, Nashville Tennessean, 9 Oct. 2025

While primarily activated by governors during state emergencies, Guard troops can also be federalized—placed under presidential control—during national crises or military operations abroad. —Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025

The court ruled Wednesday that the Oregon National Guard can be federalized but not deployed during the appeals process. —Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2025

The Department of Defense over the weekend federalized up to 300 members of the Illinois National Guard, despite Pritzker’s warnings. —Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 8 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1801, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for federalize

• actualize
• antagonize
• apologise
• apologize
• capitalize
• categorize
• characterize
• commercialize
• conceptualize
• contrariwise
• criminalize
• decentralize

Kids Definition

federalize

verb

fed·​er·​al·​ize ˈfed-(ə-)rə-ˌlīz 

federalized; federalizing

: to unite in or under a federal system of authority

federalization

ˌfed-(ə-)rə-lə-ˈzā-shən

noun