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, which concerns OpenAI's evolution from nonprofit to profit-seeking, kicked off on Monday in Oakland, California. Max Zahn, ABC News, 28 Apr. 2026 The same year, the DA’s office heard from two cooperators in unrelated federal cases who insisted Ruiz was innocent and identified the real killer. Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 28 Apr. 2026 Both have appealed their federal cases. Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026 In another federal case, environmental groups and the Miccosukee Tribe are accusing the government of violating federal environmental review laws to construct the facility. Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 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 1 May. 2026.

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