federalize

verb

fed·​er·​al·​ize ˈfe-d(ə-)rə-ˌlīz How to pronounce federalize (audio)
federalized; federalizing

transitive verb

1
: to unite in or under a federal system
2
: to bring under the jurisdiction of a federal government

Examples of federalize in a Sentence

The measure federalizes several state programs.
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.
In its lawsuit against Los Angeles, the Justice Department claimed the city’s sanctuary policies led to the protests against deportation actions that prompted President Donald Trump to federalize the National Guard and send Marine’s to patrol the city. Holmes Lybrand, CNN Money, 25 July 2025 Thousands of members are still federalized in Los Angeles for no reason and unable to carry out their critical duties across the state. Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 July 2025 Earlier this month, Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) sued the federal government after Trump federalized the California National Guard to end unrest in Los Angeles. Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 26 June 2025 The third was a challenge to the president’s decision to federalize and call the California National Guard to Los Angeles, without authorization from Gov. Gavin Newsom and against the wishes of local law enforcement, to respond to people downtown protesting immigration raids. Jonathan Horwitz, Oc Register, 16 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for federalize

Word History

First Known Use

1801, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of federalize was in 1801

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Federalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/federalize. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

federalize

verb
fed·​er·​al·​ize ˈfed-(ə-)rə-ˌlīz How to pronounce federalize (audio)
federalized; federalizing
: to unite in or under a federal system of authority
federalization
ˌfed-(ə-)rə-lə-ˈzā-shən
noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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