federalize

verb

fed·​er·​al·​ize ˈfe-d(ə-)rə-ˌlīz How to pronounce federalize (audio)
federalized; federalizing

transitive verb

1
: to unite in or under a federal system
2
: to bring under the jurisdiction of a federal government

Examples of federalize in a Sentence

The measure federalizes several state programs.
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.
In Oregon, a federal judge similarly found that the President did not have the authority to federalize the Guard there, but that ruling could also end up being overturned by higher courts. Erin Neil, New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2025 The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals later stayed parts of that ruling, allowing the administration to continue the process of federalizing the Oregon National Guard while preventing troops from being sent into Portland itself. Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025 Specifically, the Insurrection Act allowed the President to act unilaterally to federalize the militia of any state, and to use the armed forces, and to deploy them in response to requests by governors or state legislatures. Josh Meyer, USA Today, 11 Oct. 2025 National Guard troops in Memphis have not been federalized. Vivian Jones, Nashville Tennessean, 9 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for federalize

Word History

First Known Use

1801, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of federalize was in 1801

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Federalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/federalize. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

federalize

verb
fed·​er·​al·​ize ˈfed-(ə-)rə-ˌlīz How to pronounce federalize (audio)
federalized; federalizing
: to unite in or under a federal system of authority
federalization
ˌfed-(ə-)rə-lə-ˈzā-shən
noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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