SINCE 1828

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

cross fire

noun

Definition of cross fire

1 a :firing (as in combat) from two or more points so that the lines of fire cross

b :a situation wherein the forces of opposing factions meet, cross, or clash

caught in a political cross fire

2 :rapid or heated exchange of words

See cross fire defined for kids

Examples of cross fire in a Sentence

viewers tune in to witness the weekly cross fire between the liberal and conservative commentators

First Known Use of cross fire

1799

cross fire Synonyms

Synonyms

altercation, argle-bargle [chiefly British], argy-bargy [chiefly British], battle royal, bicker, brawl, contretemps, controversy, argument, disagreement, dispute, donnybrook, falling-out, fight, hassle, imbroglio, kickup, misunderstanding, quarrel, rhubarb, row, scrap, set-to, spat, squabble, tiff, wrangle

Related Words

clash, run-in, skirmish, tangle, tussle; logomachy; feud, vendetta; attack, contention, dissension (also dissention); debate, difference, disputation; fuss, objection, protest, protestation; affray [chiefly British], fisticuffs, fracas, fray, free-for-all, melee (also mêlée); catfight

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See words that rhyme with cross fire Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for cross fire

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Examples: cross fire in a Sentence