federal case

noun

: big deal
don't make a federal case out of it

Examples of federal case in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Dobbs had a criminal history prior to his federal case, court records show. Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 26 June 2026 The discussions, which are not unusual in any serious federal case, did not result in an agreement, the source said. John Miller, CNN Money, 25 June 2026 Neama Rahmani, a former federal prosecutor for the Department of Justice, said most federal cases involve felonies rather than minor charges such as misdemeanors. Gary Grumbach, NBC news, 23 June 2026 Earlier this month, federal prosecutors indicted two members of the Cobb County 3 under a separate federal case. Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 23 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for federal case

Word History

First Known Use

1950, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of federal case was in 1950

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Cite this Entry

“Federal case.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/federal%20case. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.

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