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

By federalizing state war debts and creating a national bank, Hamilton aimed to unify the young nation under a strong fiscal umbrella. —Michelle Mbekeani, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025

Merkel is said to have promised former Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti that bailouts would eventually be federalized to pool risk and avoid dragging down sovereigns with them, but nothing came of it. —Pierpaolo Barbieri, Foreign Affairs, 29 Sep. 2016

Similar scenes played out across the state—until President John F. Kennedy federalized Alabama’s National Guard and reopened schools. —Essence, 22 Mar. 2025

Many progressive groups grossly exaggerate problems as an argument for federalizing national elections or to use as a fundraising tool. —Karlyn Bowman, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025

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