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.
Massachusetts charges There has been one federal case against a suspect in Massachusetts, thus far. Louisa Moller, CBS News, 19 Feb. 2026 Meanwhile, Vance Boelter, the man accused of killing the Hortmans and attacking the Hoffman family on June 14, faces federal as well as state charges and may face the death penalty in the federal case. Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 17 Feb. 2026 That federal case involves Meta, TikTok, YouTube and Snap, and centers on allegations that the companies built defective apps that resulted in teens and children developing unhealthy and addictive behaviors. Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 9 Feb. 2026 Last month, Judge Margaret Garnett, who is presiding over the federal case, announced that the federal trial would begin in September of this year. Lorena O’Neil, Rolling Stone, 7 Feb. 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Federal case.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/federal%20case. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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