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
Jay Stahl, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026
Among the videos and images that circulated widely in recent weeks have been the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens involving federal agents just 17 days apart: Renee Good and Alex Pretti.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 28 Jan. 2026
Minneapolis police officers worked $3 million in overtime in just 12 days during Operation Metro Surge, the federal immigration enforcement operation that has sent 3,000 agents to Minnesota.
—Caroline Cummings, CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026
In Garland’s case, a feasibility study showed the city planned improvements at more than 20 crossings along the Kansas City Southern line to meet federal criteria.
—Dallas Morning News, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for federal
Adjective
The federal program intends to deposit $1,000 into savings accounts for every American kid born between 2025 and 2028, when Trump's second term ends.
—Jay Stahl, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026
Among the videos and images that circulated widely in recent weeks have been the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens involving federal agents just 17 days apart: Renee Good and Alex Pretti.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 28 Jan. 2026
Minneapolis police officers worked $3 million in overtime in just 12 days during Operation Metro Surge, the federal immigration enforcement operation that has sent 3,000 agents to Minnesota.
—Caroline Cummings, CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026
In Garland’s case, a feasibility study showed the city planned improvements at more than 20 crossings along the Kansas City Southern line to meet federal criteria.
—Dallas Morning News, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for federal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for federal
Adjective
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During a government shutdown, all federal functions necessary for public safety, national security and protecting government property may continue, though employees work without pay.—
Riley Beggin,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
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The release of the two immigrants — and a third set free earlier Thursday in the same courthouse by another judge — is part of a national trend.—
Cristóbal Reyes,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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One month after the US carried out an attack in Venezuela to capture its president, civilians in the South American country remain caught between uncertainty and expectations of governmental change.—
CNN 9 hr ago,
CNN Money,
5 Feb. 2026
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He was included in the Time 100 Health list, has a Hollywood Walk of Fame star and served for 15 years as CEO of The Planetary Society, a non-governmental space organization co-founded by Carl Sagan.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
5 Feb. 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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An outbreak on a luxury cruise ship departing from Miami has gotten 27 people sick with a gastrointestinal (GI) illness, the Centers for Disease Control said.—
Ana Maria Soler,
CBS News,
4 Feb. 2026
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This offering from Now contains 10 probiotic strains that have been identified and verified to naturally colonize the human GI tract.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The dye, a non-toxic tracer often used in environmental studies, transformed the waters of the Grand Canal into a bright green color.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
25 Nov. 2025
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Extinction Rebellion said the dye used was a fluorescent, non-toxic tracer commonly employed in environmental studies, such as tracking water flows or monitoring leaks.—
Emma Bussey,
FOXNews.com,
25 Nov. 2025
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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Langmuir showed that the molecules oriented themselves in a consistent way, looking like little tadpoles with the hydrophilic head, the end that likes water, toward the water, and the hydrophobic tail, the end that dislikes water, sticking up into the air.—
Natalia Sánchez Loayza,
Scientific American,
5 Feb. 2026
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Once stationary, deactivate all lights except the hazard flashers, engage the emergency brake, and release the brake pedal to ensure your tail lights remain unlit, minimizing the chance of other drivers colliding with your stationary vehicle.—
Bay Area Weather Report,
Mercury News,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Federal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/federal. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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