cross-examine

transitive verb

cross-ex·​am·​ine ¦krȯs-ig-¦za-mən How to pronounce cross-examine (audio)
Synonyms of cross-examinenext
: to examine by a series of questions designed to check the accuracy of answers to previous questions : examine closely or repeatedly
specifically : to examine (a witness who has testified for the other side in a legal action) especially in order to disprove testimony already given

Word History

Etymology

cross entry 5

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Cite this Entry

“Cross-examine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cross-examine. Accessed 26 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

cross-examine

verb
cross-ex·​am·​ine
ˌkrȯ-sig-ˈzam-ən
: to question (a person) in an effort to show that statements or answers given earlier were false or not credible
cross-examination
-ˌzam-ə-ˈnā-shən
noun
cross-examiner
-ˈzam-(ə-)nər
noun

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