federal 1 of 2

Definition of federalnext
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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Federal

2 of 2

noun

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of federal
Adjective
In the mid-2000s, two federal regulations went into effect that required automakers to lower vehicles’ sulfur output – which also reduces octane. David Goldman, CNN Money, 3 July 2026 Still, that also makes federal approval more complicated because many vehicle rules were written for cars with human drivers. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026 Attorneys Abigail Becker and Victor Van Dyke, with the Federal Public Defender’s Office, convinced the jury Yener was entrapped by federal agents. Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 3 July 2026 At Stanford, Warsh brushed shoulders with the likes of Nobel Prize-winning economist Milton Friedman and four-time federal cabinet member George Shultz. Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 3 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for federal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for federal
Adjective
  • The United States men’s national soccer team is heading to the Round of 16, defeating Bosnia and Herzegovina, 2-0, on Wednesday night in Santa Clara, California.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026
  • Pyrotecnico, a national fireworks and drones display business, is in charge of the spectacle.
    Staff report, USA Today, 2 July 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
  • 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
  • Each sold for about $7,000, roughly $105,000 today, with no down payment required under the GI Bill.
    Jonathan Tower, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
  • While colleges have promoted social mobility all along, the GI Bill in the post-World War II era blew the doors wide open, making higher education accessible to millions of first-generation college-goers.
    Adam Stone, USA Today, 25 June 2026
Adjective
  • In the years since, a plethora of local, state and federal governmental actions have elevated the protection of marine mammals in the cove.
    U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 July 2026
  • Strategic partnerships also create room for conversation and open dialogue that is not possible solely through the lens of governmental and social diplomacy.
    Stewart McLaurin, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Noun
  • 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
  • The software, which would effectively act like a narc embedded on people’s iPhones, could have unintended consequences, critics said, despite Apple’s assurances that it would be used solely to stop child predators.
    Declan Harty, Fortune, 15 Oct. 2021
Noun
  • 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
  • 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
  • The life-size robotic elephants in Prasanth Prakashan's backyard workshop have ears that flap, tails that swish and trunks that squirt water.
    ABC News, ABC News, 3 July 2026
  • Some common options for hanging pots include succulents like burro's tail or string of pearls, trailing lantana, and trailing verbena.
    Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 July 2026
Noun
  • This one also doubles as a GPS tracker, bug detector, and safety alarm.
    Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 28 June 2026
  • The 24 satellites increased the total number of active relays in the Starlink network to more than 10,700, according to tracker Jonathan McDowell.
    Robert Z. Pearlman, Space.com, 28 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Federal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/federal. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

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