federalize

verb

fed·​er·​al·​ize ˈfe-d(ə-)rə-ˌlīz 

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

Trump has previously federalized the city's police department and has deployed thousands of National Guard troops for the past 14 months across Washington, with plans to keep them in place until his term ends in 2029. — Irit Skulnik, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026

While federal law allows the president to federalize state National Guard troops in response to a rebellion or the danger of one, the conditions in Los Angeles did not meet that standard, the judges said. — Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026

Eisenhower then federalized the Arkansas National Guard and sent a thousand members of the 101st Airborne Division to Little Rock. — Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 21 Sep. 2026

In an interview, Stitt discussed the dust-up with Trump, warned against efforts to federalize elections, and expressed concern that a mammoth federal government has contributed to the country's tense political climate. — ABC News, 31 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1801, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for federalize

• actualize
• antagonize
• apologise
• apologize
• capitalize
• categorize
• characterize
• commercialize
• conceptualize
• contrariwise
• criminalize
• decentralize

Kids Definition

federalize

verb

fed·​er·​al·​ize ˈfed-(ə-)rə-ˌlīz 

federalized; federalizing

: to unite in or under a federal system of authority

federalization

ˌfed-(ə-)rə-lə-ˈzā-shən

noun