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.
An ongoing federal case could change all of that. Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 4 Feb. 2026 Rozier's lawyers have asked for the charges against him to be thrown out, arguing that the government overreached by turning a private dispute over bettors' use of nonpublic information into a federal case. CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026 Walters is not named as a defendant in the federal case, though the suit alleges that both Walters and Northern Trust are responsible for her loss. Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2026 Prosecutors on Bragg’s case earlier this week urged the presiding judge to schedule trial to begin in July, before the federal case makes it before a jury, arguing local authorities first investigated and charged Mangione and should get to try him first. Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 30 Jan. 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 6 Feb. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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