as in national
of or relating to a federation or to its central government
A federal system of government distributes power between a country's central and regional governments. The President, Congress, and the Supreme Court are all part of the federal government of the United States.
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Dissimilar Words
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2
as in Confederate
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of federal
Joseph Buczek, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026
Fulton County sought to have the FBI agent who wrote the affidavit testify at Friday’s hearing, but the Justice Department objected and the judge sided with the federal government and quashed the subpoena.
—ABC News, 27 Mar. 2026
The federal tax filing deadline is Wednesday, April 15, 2026.
—Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 27 Mar. 2026
In April 2024 he was sentenced to four months in federal prison for enabling money laundering.
—Clara Molot, Vanity Fair, 17 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for federal
Adjective
Robert Glapinski, 62, of Capac, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison on Wednesday.
—Joseph Buczek, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026
Fulton County sought to have the FBI agent who wrote the affidavit testify at Friday’s hearing, but the Justice Department objected and the judge sided with the federal government and quashed the subpoena.
—ABC News, 27 Mar. 2026
The federal tax filing deadline is Wednesday, April 15, 2026.
—Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 27 Mar. 2026
In April 2024 he was sentenced to four months in federal prison for enabling money laundering.
—Clara Molot, Vanity Fair, 17 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for federal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for federal
Adjective
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Orr hired Campbell away from Oregon, where the coach’s mastery in recruiting helped boost the Ducks to national prominence.—
Joe Davidson,
Sacbee.com,
28 Mar. 2026
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The confident bunch remains focused on its ultimate goal, winning the program's first national championship.—
Ryan Baker,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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That in-the-shadows violence permeates all institutions, from prisons to governmental offices.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
26 Mar. 2026
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Diversent heads the legal organization Cubalex, which operates as an independent, non-governmental entity that offers free legal assistance to citizens, documents human rights abuses.—
Sarah Moreno
Updated March 24,
Miami Herald,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Now the G-men head down there to collar Massachusetts cops — sheriffs and crooked state troopers.—
Howie Carr,
Boston Herald,
10 Aug. 2025
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Exactly what will happen to DC’s most polarizing building after the G-men move out is still not clear, although President Trump has suggested the FBI will eventually return.—
Andy Rose,
CNN Money,
19 July 2025
Noun
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The team's 33-15 loss gave it a 2-11 record, which is the worst nark in the NFC.—
Robert Marvi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Dec. 2025
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You’re automatically dubbed a narc, a kiss-ass, a too-cool.—
Brandi California,
SPIN,
1 July 2024
Noun
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According to the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, as many as two thirds to three quarters of people with Crohn’s disease will at some point need surgery, which typically includes removing parts of the GI tract.—
Korin Miller,
SELF,
31 Mar. 2026
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Nasaw also explores the social impact of various post-war measures, such as the GI Bill (which provided for educational, health care, disability and loan benefits) and the numerous National Housing Acts.—
The Know,
Denver Post,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Aware has been using tracer particles and its blockchain technology for several years now, applying it to recycled cotton, denim and other materials.—
Jennifer Bringle,
Sourcing Journal,
30 Mar. 2026
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In the tense Lebanese capital, Beirut, Israeli surveillance drones buzz overhead while red tracer bullets light up the night skies, fired to warn residents of possible attacks.—
Matthew Chance,
CNN Money,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Less than a month later, plainclothesmen arrested Nassar at a local tire store, and Munford took him into custody.—
Jason Schmidt,
Glamour,
30 Oct. 2018
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Hustling bucks and ducking the Third Division boys, those earnest young plainclothesmen assigned to the vice squad who work out of the 17th Precinct on the East Side.—
Gail Sheehy,
Daily Intelligencer,
9 Sep. 2017
Noun
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The snake struck and shook its tail to protect itself, releasing its notorious rattle warning.—
Laylan Connelly,
Oc Register,
26 Mar. 2026
-
An unbothered gray cat eats while resting on a kitchen mat, not having yet noticed the still cucumber behind his tail.—
Andrés Muedano,
JSTOR Daily,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Federal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/federal. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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