as in dispute
an often noisy or angry expression of differing opinions
viewers tune in to witness the weekly cross fire between the liberal and conservative commentators
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Recent Examples of cross fire
Unfortunately, the older teens (including Louise’s nemesis, Logan) have taken over the area for snowball fights, and the younger kids get caught in the cross fire.
—
Lillian Brown, Vulture, 16 Dec. 2024
The incident was the latest of several protests on campuses across the country by pro-Palestinian protesters in response to the war between Israel and Hamas and the killing of thousands of Palestinians caught in the cross fire.
—Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2024
Israel must allow more aid into Gaza and ensure that humanitarian workers aren’t caught in the cross fire.
—USA TODAY, 8 Mar. 2024
Their car escaped only because Gal pushed the driver’s head down to avoid being hit by the intense cross fire.
—David Harsanyi, National Review, 25 Jan. 2024
See All Example Sentences for cross fire
Lillian Brown, Vulture, 16 Dec. 2024
The incident was the latest of several protests on campuses across the country by pro-Palestinian protesters in response to the war between Israel and Hamas and the killing of thousands of Palestinians caught in the cross fire.
—Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2024
Israel must allow more aid into Gaza and ensure that humanitarian workers aren’t caught in the cross fire.
—USA TODAY, 8 Mar. 2024
Their car escaped only because Gal pushed the driver’s head down to avoid being hit by the intense cross fire.
—David Harsanyi, National Review, 25 Jan. 2024
See All Example Sentences for cross fire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cross fire
Noun
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When Magyar emerged as an opposition figure, their disputes became a recurring story in the tabloids.—
Andrew Marantz,
New Yorker,
9 May 2026
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The dispute, which has spanned three mayoral administrations going back to at least 2021, has now hit a breaking point.—
Verónica Egui Brito,
Miami Herald,
8 May 2026
Noun
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Video footage appeared to show Pretti recording the agents on his phone before a physical altercation began.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
11 May 2026
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During the altercation, police said the male victim produced a firearm and fired a single round.—
Tim Fang,
CBS News,
11 May 2026
Noun
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In a 2024 study, researchers found that chimpanzee mothers tended to step in to defend their children in quarrels—say, over food or space in a tree—in about half of cases the researchers observed in the wild.—
Jackie Flynn Mogensen,
Scientific American,
10 May 2026
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As the trio quarrels, bonds and ventures through the wild unknown, Felix discovers that true bravery may change not only his own destiny, but also the future of his home.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
10 May 2026
Noun
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Stress test the answer Ask about any controversies or conflicting findings around its advice.—
Sudheesha Perera,
Time,
6 May 2026
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Ted Turner, the media mogul and philanthropist behind the cable channels CNN, TBS, TNT, Turner Classic Movies, and the WCW who also courted controversy, died at his home near Tallahassee, Florida on Wednesday, according to The New York Times.—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
6 May 2026
Noun
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New reports don’t end disagreements The latest raft of reporting, with mysterious figures and unexplained sounds, has not yet made a believer out of skeptic Benjamin Radford.—
Andy Rose,
CNN Money,
8 May 2026
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The new restaurant takes over the former Biscuit & Hogs space, which closed amid legal disagreements.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
8 May 2026
Noun
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But with a lot of hydration, proper nutrition, and Parks and Recreation rewatches in her down time, it’s made for an easy recovery routine for Rooney as the Frost fight to stay alive in the playoffs.—
Staff Report,
Twin Cities,
9 May 2026
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The drive to pass a post-production tax credit bill in the California legislature received a boost Friday night when the California Post Alliance announced that the Television Academy has joined the fight.—
Jon Burlingame,
Variety,
9 May 2026
Noun
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Unsigned editorials reflect the consensus of our editorial board, with the aim of offering arguments that are empirically sound and intellectually consistent.—
Teagan Davidge,
Oc Register,
10 May 2026
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Swann, in other words, takes Washburn’s side of the animal-mind argument.—
Jill Lepore,
New Yorker,
9 May 2026
Noun
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The 2026 women’s WWE Royal Rumble is wide open, and with no obvious potential winner, this year’s 30-woman battle royal could be laiden with surprises.—
Blake Oestriecher,
Forbes.com,
30 Jan. 2026
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Another year, another round in the battle royal for streaming licenses.—
Eric Vilas-Boas,
Vulture,
6 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cross fire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cross%20fire. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
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