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.
Presidential pardons are traditionally reserved only for federal cases. Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 9 Dec. 2025 Mangione also faces a separate federal case in the killing of Thompson outside a Manhattan hotel just over a year ago. Renee Anderson, CBS News, 8 Dec. 2025 Transcripts of the grand jury proceedings from the aborted federal case in Florida could shed more light on federal prosecutors’ decision not to go forward with it. Mike Schneider, Fortune, 6 Dec. 2025 The federal case against him was dismissed after his death. Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 2 Dec. 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

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Cite this Entry

“Federal case.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/federal%20case. Accessed 16 Dec. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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