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.
The state had charged Ripley with one count each of kidnapping for a reward and kidnapping to commit great bodily harm, but those charges were dropped in favor of the federal case. Wcco Staff, CBS News, 18 Nov. 2025 Joseph Emerson was sentenced to time served in his federal case. John Capell, ABC News, 17 Nov. 2025 Then, in November 2023, a mistrial was declared when a jury could not reach a verdict in the federal case. Karla Ward Lexington Herald-Leader, Arkansas Online, 16 Nov. 2025 Giuliani, Powell, Clark and Eastman were alleged co-conspirators in that federal case but were never charged with a federal crime. Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 10 Nov. 2025 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 22 Nov. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!