crosshair
noun
cross·hair
ˈkrȯs-ˌher 
: a fine wire or thread in the focus of the eyepiece of an optical instrument used as a reference line in the field or for marking the instrumental axis
—used figuratively to describe someone or something being targeted as if through an aiming device having crosshairs
The tactics landed the company's top brass in the crosshairs of the Securities and Exchange Commission.—
Houston Chronicle
Houston ChronicleExamples of crosshair in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Trump has stated repeatedly that Cuba is next in his crosshairs, after his ongoing war against Iran and the overthrow in January of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
—Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2026
Iran has long been in Graham's crosshairs.
—ABC News, 16 Mar. 2026
La Crosse’s Big Lots was one of many caught in the chain’s bankruptcy crosshairs in September 2024.
—Caden Perry, jsonline.com, 12 Mar. 2026
Frustration and impatience in the pursuit of flawless execution put everyone in his crosshairs.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for crosshair
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Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2026
Iran has long been in Graham's crosshairs.
—ABC News, 16 Mar. 2026
La Crosse’s Big Lots was one of many caught in the chain’s bankruptcy crosshairs in September 2024.
—Caden Perry, jsonline.com, 12 Mar. 2026
Frustration and impatience in the pursuit of flawless execution put everyone in his crosshairs.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for crosshair
Cite this Entry
“Crosshair.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crosshair. Accessed 24 Mar. 2026.
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