double-cross

1 of 2

verb

dou·​ble-cross ˌdə-bəl-ˈkrȯs How to pronounce double-cross (audio)
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)

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
He had been double-crossed by Guzmán López, who was also on the plane and had been arranging his surrender for some time. Jesse Hyde, Rolling Stone, 7 Aug. 2025 The shark punch is one sight gag among many, and Lorenzo Semple Jr.'s daffy script makes room for a delirious double-crossing romance, with Lee Meriwether's Catwoman undercover as a Wayne-attracting Soviet. Devan Coggan, EW.com, 3 Aug. 2025
Noun
At an undisclosed rendezvous point, a different double cross is in the works. Matt Cabral, EW.com, 1 June 2025 Back towards the control room, In-ho finally reveals his true nature and double crosses the players who followed him to battle. Esther Kang, People.com, 26 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for double-cross

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1903, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1834, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of double-cross was in 1834

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Double-cross.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/double-cross. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

double cross

noun
: an act of betraying or cheating especially an associate
double-cross
ˌdəb-əl-ˈkrȯs
verb
double-crosser noun

More from Merriam-Webster on double-cross

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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