double-cross

1 of 2

verb

dou·​ble-cross ˌdə-bəl-ˈkrȯs 

double-crossed; double-crossing; double-crosses

transitive verb

: to deceive by double-dealing : betray

double-crosser noun

double cross

2 of 2

noun

1

a

: an act of winning or trying to win a fight or match after agreeing to lose it

b

: an act of betraying or cheating an associate

2

: a cross between first-generation hybrids of four separate inbred lines (as in the production of hybrid seed corn)

Synonyms of double-cross

Verb

• betray

Noun

• treachery
• betrayal
• treason

Examples of double-cross in a Sentence

Verb

she promised to share the profits but then double-crossed us

Noun

politics is full of double crosses and backbiting

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Wasting no time, Liridon double-crosses them in dramatic fashion, sending Shaban and Hatixhe, along with Nana and their young daughters (Aria Shala, Riga Morina, Melika Gashi), to Pristina, where Hatixhe’s married sister lives. —Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 30 Jan. 2026

The Rip has little else to offer the actors or the audience beyond a plot built on ratcheting up tension and double-crossing characters. —David Sims, The Atlantic, 21 Jan. 2026

Noun

The answer, right now, seems to be split down the middle (though there’s always the chance of another double cross in either direction). —Scott Meslow, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2025

At an undisclosed rendezvous point, a different double cross is in the works. —Matt Cabral, EW.com, 1 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1889, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1834, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for double-cross

• albatross
• applesauce
• barabbas
• helios
• kshatriyas
• across
• backcross
• crisscross
• lacrosse
• recross
• tomas
• blas

Kids Definition

double cross

noun

: an act of betraying or cheating especially an associate

double-cross

ˌdəb-əl-ˈkrȯs

verb

double-crosser noun