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 nark
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2
as in Confederate
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of federal
Mike Nolan, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2025
Without their clearance, the officials will not be allowed to access classified information or enter federal facilities.
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 9 Feb. 2025
The federal government is currently operating under a continuing resolution that was negotiated in December.
—Isabel Danzis, ABC News, 9 Feb. 2025
Devoting more resources to substance abuse seems to be one area of agreement between many Democrats and Republicans, as well as a possible source of compromise between blue California and President Donald Trump, who has long wanted to overhaul housing first policies at the federal level.
—Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for federal 
Adjective
The proposed Deer Creek-Third Creek Reservoir has already received grant funding assistance through the American Rescue Plan Act, the federal government’s COVID-19 assistance program, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, according to the MWRD.
—Mike Nolan, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2025
Without their clearance, the officials will not be allowed to access classified information or enter federal facilities.
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 9 Feb. 2025
The federal government is currently operating under a continuing resolution that was negotiated in December.
—Isabel Danzis, ABC News, 9 Feb. 2025
Devoting more resources to substance abuse seems to be one area of agreement between many Democrats and Republicans, as well as a possible source of compromise between blue California and President Donald Trump, who has long wanted to overhaul housing first policies at the federal level.
—Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for federal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for federal
Adjective
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Sixty percent favored deporting migrants who are in the country illegally, and 59% backed his decision declaring a national emergency because of migrant crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border.—
Michael Collins,
USA TODAY,
17 Feb. 2025
-
His mechanic versus the well-monied career politician narrative inspired his new Working Class Heroes Fund, a political action committee that has raised about $500,000 in donations since November to train unions to recruit and support local and national candidates.—
Jeffrey Fleishman,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Cameron directed Arnold Schwarzenegger in this influential action pic about a family man who also happens to be a G-man.—
Brian Tallerico,
Vulture,
6 Dec. 2024
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For more than forty years, Hoover’s G-men devoted hundreds of thousands of man hours to the threat that was Paul Robeson: debriefing informants, wiretapping phone conversations, and monitoring rallies, concerts, and plays.—
Thomas Doherty,
The Hollywood Reporter,
12 Oct. 2024
Noun
-
Gut motility is how food and waste move through the GI tract and how bowel movements exit the body.—
Brittany Dube,
Health,
8 Feb. 2025
-
After returning from the war, Johnson became the first woman to enroll on the GI Bill at Winston-Salem Teachers College (now Winston-Salem State University).—
Joe Marusak,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
You’re automatically dubbed a narc, a kiss-ass, a too-cool.—
Brandi California,
SPIN,
1 July 2024
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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
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In desperation, Smith took out the Zaida’s automatic rifle and fired half a dozen tracer bullets over the other ship’s bow.—
David Wolman,
Smithsonian Magazine,
8 Jan. 2025
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Plus, each bag comes with a unique tracer number for easy recovery.—
Madison Yauger,
People.com,
6 Jan. 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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Though the series, which premiered on PBS in the United States in 2010, ended its television run in 2015, fans dusted off their coats, tails, and evening gowns for a film adaptation some four years after the show’s finale—and then once more for a second film in 2022.—
Radhika Seth,
Vogue,
9 Feb. 2025
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Asking to Play Aside from sharing toys, a dog asking to play with you by bowing and wagging their tail is expressing their excitement to be in your presence.—
Yaakov Katz,
Newsweek,
8 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The National Transportation Safety Board said a team of U.S. investigators will participate in the probe.—
Laya Neelakandan,Leslie Josephs,
CNBC,
17 Feb. 2025
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In the basement, investigators found Arnold’s blood, according to prosecutors.—
Jennifer Rodriguez,
Kansas City Star,
16 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near federal
Cite this Entry
“Federal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/federal. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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