as in dispute
an often noisy or angry expression of differing opinions
viewers tune in to witness the weekly cross fire between the liberal and conservative commentators
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cross fire
The consequence is that others are caught in the great-power cross fire or will seek to start fires of their own.
—
Paul Poast, The Atlantic, 17 Nov. 2023
But most DDoS attacks were less principled: the constant AK-47 cross fire of the cybercriminal internet’s internecine wars and vandalism.
—Andy Greenberg, WIRED, 14 Nov. 2023
Thousands of wealthy Arabs left in anticipation of war, thousands more responded to Arab leaders’ call to get out of the way of the advancing armies, a handful were expelled, but most simply fled to avoid being caught in the cross fire of battle.
—Benjamin Weinthal, Fox News, 15 May 2023
For two months they were trapped in their house, without electricity, windows shattered, caught in the cross fire of constant shelling.
—George Packer, The Atlantic, 6 Sep. 2022
See All Example Sentences for cross fire
Paul Poast, The Atlantic, 17 Nov. 2023
But most DDoS attacks were less principled: the constant AK-47 cross fire of the cybercriminal internet’s internecine wars and vandalism.
—Andy Greenberg, WIRED, 14 Nov. 2023
Thousands of wealthy Arabs left in anticipation of war, thousands more responded to Arab leaders’ call to get out of the way of the advancing armies, a handful were expelled, but most simply fled to avoid being caught in the cross fire of battle.
—Benjamin Weinthal, Fox News, 15 May 2023
For two months they were trapped in their house, without electricity, windows shattered, caught in the cross fire of constant shelling.
—George Packer, The Atlantic, 6 Sep. 2022
See All Example Sentences for cross fire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cross fire
Noun
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The eased transit visa rules can’t hide geopolitical differences between Washington and Beijing over Taiwan and the South China Sea, as well as over economic policies and spying, among other disputes.—
Russell Flannery,
Forbes.com,
29 Mar. 2025
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According to Smith, police responded to a call about a dispute with a weapon at a home and then set up a perimeter outside the house after a man shut the door on officers.—
Katie Atkinson,
Billboard,
29 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The two then had an altercation, during which one of the children was knocked over and Villalobos fled, according to authorities.—
Jami Ganz,
New York Daily News,
27 Mar. 2025
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Although officially estranged, the couple were still living together with their three sons under the age of 11 at the time of the July 16, 2023, altercation outside their house.—
Liam Quinn,
People.com,
26 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The basketball star has a reputation for being able to silence media noise in the most crucial moments, but the family element of this quarrel seems to have hit a little too close to home this time.—
Christian Orozco,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Mar. 2025
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Carter’s eleventh-hour time line seems to be wrong, but the matter won’t be settled by these quarrels.—
Nathan Heller,
The New Yorker,
15 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The controversy and the film’s box-office success nevertheless sparked interest from Western distributors.—
Christopher Vourlias,
Variety,
21 Mar. 2025
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The movie, which premieres March 21, has had its fair share of controversies throughout the production process — from Disney's choice to cast Zegler as Snow White to the studio being criticized for perpetuating stereotypes about dwarfs to rumors that Zegler and Gal Gadot don't get along.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
People.com,
21 Mar. 2025
Noun
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In a Thursday, March 20 trailer, fans of Sister Wives got a sneak peek of what’s to come in the second half of season 19 — and further insight into Meri and Kody's disagreement concerning the Flagstaff, Ariz., compound.—
Charna Flam,
People.com,
21 Mar. 2025
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But there are a lot of obstacles to overcome first, such as sharp disagreements over territory and Ukraine's future security.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
20 Mar. 2025
Noun
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This is not the moment to slow down the fight or turn our backs on TB.—
Peter Sands,
Forbes,
23 Mar. 2025
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What is first suspected to be bullying or some kind of fight gone wrong is quickly revealed to be an entirely new horror.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
23 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Take that assumption away and Fermi’s argument breaks down, resolving the paradox.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
26 Mar. 2025
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Apologizing for your role in an argument—which doesn’t mean taking all of the blame—is a shortcut to a peaceful resolution.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
26 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Then, to complete the drama, the big grizzly had caught the two intruders and slaughtered them in a battle royal.—
Tom Stacer,
Outdoor Life,
20 Feb. 2025
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After all, who doesn't love a giant in a battle royal?—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
25 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cross fire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cross%20fire. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.
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