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.
Moriarty said the state case would proceed regardless of the outcome of the federal case. David Matthews, New York Daily News, 15 Aug. 2025 Information about his legal representation in the federal case was not immediately available. David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 12 Aug. 2025 The prosecution said they were given explicit permission from the U.S. Attorney’s office in Boston to disclose that the federal case, which came to light during early pre-trial hearings and witness questioning in the Read case, had been closed. Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 5 Aug. 2025 But the federal case, which was unsealed Friday, could add to Davis’ future punishment. Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 2 Aug. 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 4 Sep. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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