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
Hansi Lo Wang, NPR, 12 June 2026
Yet, big federal projects are slow and infrequent, meaning that Chattanooga presents the first concrete (or stone, rather) evidence of how architects will respond.
—Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 12 June 2026
California State Senator Sasha Renée Pérez introduced the REPAIR Act, SB 1103, legislation that would require large home improvement retailers, like Home Depot, to report immigration enforcement activity occurring on their properties and parking lots to federal immigration officials.
—Julie Sharp, CBS News, 12 June 2026
The company has called out seven different potential federal laws, like the National Strategy for Combating Scams Act, the Strategic Task Force on Scam Prevention Act, and the AI Plan Act.
—ArsTechnica, 12 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for federal
Adjective
There are opportunities for criticism from other experts that aren't in the federal government.
—Hansi Lo Wang, NPR, 12 June 2026
Yet, big federal projects are slow and infrequent, meaning that Chattanooga presents the first concrete (or stone, rather) evidence of how architects will respond.
—Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 12 June 2026
California State Senator Sasha Renée Pérez introduced the REPAIR Act, SB 1103, legislation that would require large home improvement retailers, like Home Depot, to report immigration enforcement activity occurring on their properties and parking lots to federal immigration officials.
—Julie Sharp, CBS News, 12 June 2026
The company has called out seven different potential federal laws, like the National Strategy for Combating Scams Act, the Strategic Task Force on Scam Prevention Act, and the AI Plan Act.
—ArsTechnica, 12 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for federal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for federal
Adjective
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The backbone is part of the Future Network Test Facility (FNTF), China’s first major national infrastructure project in the information and communication sector.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Dec. 2025
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Mamdani’s endorsement of Lander marked the mayor-elect’s most high-profile incursion into national politics since his stunning victory.—
Anthony Izaguirre,
Fortune,
11 Dec. 2025
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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Standard white bread is high in carbohydrates, with a glycemic index (GI) of about 90.—
Anna Giorgi,
Verywell Health,
16 June 2026
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Playford coauthored a few papers showing benefit from the supplement, including a small pilot study reporting that colostrum reduces some of the GI side effects of GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic, such as acid reflux and bloating.—
Ari Daniel,
NPR,
1 June 2026
Adjective
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Fans were arrested on suspicion of assault on a police officer, criminal possession of a weapon (a knife), reckless endangerment, criminal mischief, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, obstruction of governmental administration, and trademark counterfeiting, the NYPD said.—
Aaron Katersky,
ABC News,
11 June 2026
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Over 3,000 people died trying to make the journey in 2025 alone, according to the non-governmental organization (NGO) Caminando Fronteras.—
Robert McGreevy,
FOXNews.com,
11 June 2026
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
Noun
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This imaging test uses a tracer that attaches to PSMA proteins, allowing doctors to identify where prostate cancer cells may be located throughout the body.—
Lauryn Higgins,
Flow Space,
15 June 2026
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Manganese, a battery process tracer, can have neurological effects at chronic doses, the report stated.—
Arcelia Martin,
San Antonio Express-News,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The tail switch kicks up my totally subjective score a bit, but the knurling is pretty gnarly.—
Joe Salas
June 11,
New Atlas,
11 June 2026
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Modern Pastry Shop is for buying sfogliatella (lobster tails).—
Michele Herrmann,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
Noun
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At $99, which is far below the cost of most brand-name wearables, the Air is a capable fitness and health tracker.—
Larry Magid,
Mercury News,
11 June 2026
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Of the 14 players so far with green-room invitations, none has been linked by HoopsHype’s workout tracker to the Heat.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
10 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Federal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/federal. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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