What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
federated
Example
The European Union is a federated organization of European countries. [federated: adjective]
Example
The United States has a federated system of government with power shared between the federal government and individual states. [federated: verb]
confederate
Example
During the American Civil War, the southern states formed the Confederate States of America. [confederate: adjective]
Example
The Articles of Confederation established a confederate system of government in the United States before the Constitution. [confederate: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Federated is more commonly used than confederate in everyday language, especially in modern contexts. Federated is also more versatile and can be used to describe a wider range of groups or organizations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between federated and confederate?
Both federated and confederate can be used in formal or informal contexts, depending on the context and tone of the communication. However, federated may be more commonly used in formal contexts due to its positive connotation and versatility.