Synonyms of cross

cross 1 of 3

verb

1

as in to betray

to be unfaithful or disloyal to

people who cross the local mob boss usually are found floating in the river

Synonyms & Similar Words

• betray
• sell (out)
• double-cross
• stab in the back
• two-time
• sell down the river
• backstab
• go back on
• give away
• inform (on)
• shop
• peach
• snitch (on)
• turn in
• split (on)
• tell (on)
• rat (on)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• protect
• save
• defend
• stand by
• guard
• safeguard
• shield

2

as in to intersect

to divide by passing through or across

there's a light where that street crosses Main Street

Synonyms & Similar Words

• intersect
• bisect
• cut
• crisscross
• decussate

3

as in to traverse

to make one's way through, across, or over

you may have to cross some woods on the way

Synonyms & Similar Words

• traverse
• follow
• walk
• navigate
• travel
• track
• cover
• pass (over)
• transit
• cut (across)
• course
• ride
• proceed (along)
• go
• hike
• peregrinate
• perambulate
• tread
• run
• tramp
• traipse
• crisscross

4

as in to strike

to enter the mind of

the idea did cross me that he might be pulling my leg

Synonyms & Similar Words

• strike
• come (to)
• occur (to)
• remember
• dawn (on)
• appear
• recall
• arrive
• emerge
• learn
• recollect
• memorize
• con
• reminisce
• materialize

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• forget
• ignore
• disregard
• overlook
• neglect
• unlearn

cross

2 of 3

noun

ˈkrȯs 

1

as in fire

a test of faith, patience, or strength

dyslexia is just my cross to bear, and I accepted it long ago

Synonyms & Similar Words

• fire
• ordeal
• gauntlet
• trial
• crucible
• baptism of fire
• baptism
• initiation
• challenge
• misfortune
• tragedy
• hardship
• tribulation
• trouble
• grievance
• adversity
• woe
• grief
• privation
• mishap
• misadventure
• difficulty
• inconvenience
• acid test
• nuisance
• litmus test
• discomfort
• complication
• mischance
• affliction
• rigor
• vicissitude
• asperity
• annoyance

2

as in hybrid

an offspring of parents with different genes especially when of different races, breeds, species, or genera

the mare is an Arabian-Thoroughbred cross

Synonyms & Similar Words

• hybrid
• intercross
• mongrel
• crossbreed
• crossbred
• outcross
• mule
• half-bred

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• thoroughbred
• full-blood
• purebred
• pureblood

cross

3 of 3

adjective

1

as in mixed

being offspring produced by parents of different races, breeds, species, or genera

raises both purebred and cross lambs

Synonyms & Similar Words

• hybrid
• mixed
• crossbred
• mongrel
• crossed
• hybridized
• grade
• dihybrid
• cold-blooded
• trihybrid
• outcrossed
• half-bred
• interbred

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• blooded
• thoroughbred
• purebred
• full-blood
• inbred
• full-blooded
• pedigreed
• straightbred
• linebred

2

as in irritable

easily irritated or annoyed

she was cross all day because of a nagging headache

Synonyms & Similar Words

• irritable
• fiery
• out of humor
• out of sorts
• short
• peevish
• testy
• snappish
• sensitive
• waspish
• petulant
• passionate
• irascible
• pettish
• grouchy
• grumpy
• crotchety
• snarky
• crabby
• choleric
• raspy
• perverse
• cranky
• stuffy
• prickly
• ratty
• contentious
• snippy
• snappy
• surly
• short-tempered
• disagreeable
• ornery
• snippety
• quick-tempered
• combative
• belligerent
• bilious
• bearish
• cantankerous
• fretful
• fractious
• bellicose
• argumentative
• cross-grained
• sulky
• dyspeptic
• pugnacious
• curmudgeonly
• querulous
• scrappy
• tetchy
• ill-tempered
• snarly
• sullen
• touchy
• quarrelsome
• off-color
• truculent
• pouty
• ill-humored
• ill-natured
• disputatious
• huffy
• thin-skinned
• hot-blooded

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• friendly
• sweet
• outgoing
• cordial
• sociable
• companionable
• genial
• affable
• agreeable
• gregarious
• extroverted
• amiable
• patient
• good-natured
• relaxed
• carefree
• tolerant
• understanding
• easygoing
• well-disposed
• stoic
• uncomplaining
• obliging
• forbearing
• long-suffering
• good-tempered
• happy-go-lucky

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of cross

Verb

Will four of those dots always form the corners of a four-sided shape with no dents or crossed sides? — Jack Murtagh, Scientific American, 10 Aug. 2026

In the end, because Seigler crossed home plate before Sogard was called out at first, and Toronto never appealed the runner leaving third base early, the run was awarded to the Red Sox. — ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026

Noun

It was backed by Washington, reportedly executed using the euro-yen cross rather than directly in dollar-yen, and accompanied by explicit political support. — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 7 Aug. 2026

It’s also recommended to avoid consuming raw oysters and other raw shellfish, and to avoid cross-contamination of other foods with raw seafood or its juices. — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Phrases Containing cross

• cross (out)
• cross (up)
• cross fire
• cross paths (with)
• cross section
• double cross