federalize
verb
fed·er·al·ize
ˈfe-d(ə-)rə-ˌlīz 
federalized; federalizing
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
Trump’s decision to federalize National Guard troops began in Los Angeles in June, when protesters took to the streets in response to a blitz of immigration arrests in the area.
—
Michelle L. Price, Fortune, 2 Jan. 2026
Justice Department lawyers had argued in court that once federalized, Guard troops could remain under the president’s command indefinitely and that courts had no authority to review their deployment.
—Melody Gutierrez, Los Angeles Times, 31 Dec. 2025
But as to Oregon, a federal judge held a three-day trial and issued a ruling last month finding that the president did not have a lawful basis to federalize the National Guard.
—Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 23 Dec. 2025
Trump federalized about 300 members of the Illinois National Guard and about 400 from the Texas National Guard.
—Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 23 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for federalize
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Michelle L. Price, Fortune, 2 Jan. 2026
Justice Department lawyers had argued in court that once federalized, Guard troops could remain under the president’s command indefinitely and that courts had no authority to review their deployment.
—Melody Gutierrez, Los Angeles Times, 31 Dec. 2025
But as to Oregon, a federal judge held a three-day trial and issued a ruling last month finding that the president did not have a lawful basis to federalize the National Guard.
—Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 23 Dec. 2025
Trump federalized about 300 members of the Illinois National Guard and about 400 from the Texas National Guard.
—Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 23 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for federalize
Cite this Entry
“Federalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/federalize. Accessed 6 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
federalize
verb
fed·er·al·ize
ˈfed-(ə-)rə-ˌlīz
federalized; federalizing
: to unite in or under a federal system of authority
federalization
noun
ˌfed-(ə-)rə-lə-ˈzā-shən
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