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.
The federal case was based on allegations the social media giant misrepresented the extent of child mental health harms caused by apps like Facebook and Instagram. — Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026 While the federal case in Oakland was settled as part of the agreement with the 47 states, major cases against Meta remain active. — Carolina Rossini, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026 At the end of 2025, the FBI’s National Crime Information Center recorded just under 1,500 active cases involving missing Native Americans, though not all become federal cases. — ABC News, 25 Aug. 2026 Admitting guilt in the federal case guarantees Mangione will serve a long term. — Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 22 Aug. 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

Rhymes for federal case

See All Rhymes for federal case

Browse Nearby Words

federal assembly
federal case
federal chancellor
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Federal case.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/federal%20case. Accessed 28 Aug. 2026.

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