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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as in Confederate
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of federal
Chris Ramirez, jsonline.com, 6 Mar. 2026
Scott Yates, a Colorado man who runs the website Lock the Clock, wants the federal government to pass a law to end the twice-a-year clock change in two years.
—ABC News, 6 Mar. 2026
The federal government holds no legal authority to delay, suspend, or cancel a presidential election.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 6 Mar. 2026
Rufe said the federal government was unlikely to succeed at trial.
—Tassanee Vejpongsa, Arkansas Online, 21 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for federal
Adjective
Prosecutors argued Stanton made the murder threat to interfere with the officer's ability to perform his duties as a federal law enforcement officer and to retaliate against him for the past performance of his duties.
—Chris Ramirez, jsonline.com, 6 Mar. 2026
Scott Yates, a Colorado man who runs the website Lock the Clock, wants the federal government to pass a law to end the twice-a-year clock change in two years.
—ABC News, 6 Mar. 2026
The federal government holds no legal authority to delay, suspend, or cancel a presidential election.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 6 Mar. 2026
Rufe said the federal government was unlikely to succeed at trial.
—Tassanee Vejpongsa, Arkansas Online, 21 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for federal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for federal
Adjective
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Documents concerning UAPs are commonly ensnared with such sensitive intelligence that could impact national security if publicly disclosed, and would implicate a thorough declassification process.—
Danya Gainor,
CNN Money,
7 Mar. 2026
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The Defense Production Act provides the president broad authorities to influence domestic industry in the interest of national defense or emergencies.—
Grace Toohey,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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MUDs are essentially governmental entities that developers can use to finance infrastructure through the issuance of bonds which are repaid by tax revenue and fees collected from homeowners.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 Mar. 2026
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The statute also assigns responsibility for payment of certain commissions to specific governmental entities.—
Abbey Ajayi,
Sun Sentinel,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
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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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White veterans received land after the Revolutionary War and wealth-building benefits after World War II through the GI Bill.—
Ed Gaskin,
Boston Herald,
1 Mar. 2026
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In other words, if your body is working hard to break down a meal before bed, Sarkar points out that food and subsequent digestion can lead to gut motility (food moving through the GI tract) and insulin secretion—both of which can mess with your sleep.—
Julia Sullivan,
Outside,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
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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
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The talc was Katharine’s visual tracer.—
Natalia Sánchez Loayza,
Scientific American,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
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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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Austen is not far behind him, but Salley is hot on his tail, yelling at him to come back into the party.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
12 Mar. 2026
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Hours later, an inspection of a helicopter that responded to the shooting call at Byers’ home revealed a bullet had pierced the tail.—
James Queally,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Federal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/federal. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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