What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
federation
Example
The United States is a federation of 50 states. [federation: noun]
Example
The trade federation was formed to promote the interests of small businesses. [federation: noun]
Example
The European Union is a political and economic federation of 27 member states. [federation: noun]
alliance
Example
The two companies formed an alliance to develop new technology. [alliance: noun]
Example
The NATO alliance was created to provide collective defense against external threats. [alliance: noun]
Example
The environmental alliance includes several non-profit organizations working towards sustainable development. [alliance: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Alliance is more commonly used than federation in everyday language. Alliance is a versatile term that can be used in various contexts, while federation is more specific and often used in political or economic contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between federation and alliance?
Federation is typically associated with a formal and official tone, while alliance can be used in both formal and informal contexts.