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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cross fire
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
The consequence is that others are caught in the great-power cross fire or will seek to start fires of their own.
—Paul Poast, The Atlantic, 17 Nov. 2023
But most DDoS attacks were less principled: the constant AK-47 cross fire of the cybercriminal internet’s internecine wars and vandalism.
—Andy Greenberg, WIRED, 14 Nov. 2023
See All Example Sentences for 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
The consequence is that others are caught in the great-power cross fire or will seek to start fires of their own.
—Paul Poast, The Atlantic, 17 Nov. 2023
But most DDoS attacks were less principled: the constant AK-47 cross fire of the cybercriminal internet’s internecine wars and vandalism.
—Andy Greenberg, WIRED, 14 Nov. 2023
See All Example Sentences for cross fire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cross fire
Noun
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But before the action alights in the location of the latest dispute between adjacent property owners to catch the eye of directors Harrison Fishman and Dylan Redford (yes, grandson of Robert), the shot fills with the telltale red, white and blue of the American flag.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
13 Feb. 2026
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While Japan has seized fishing vessels from South Korea and Taiwan in recent years, the incident is the first involving a vessel from China since 2022 and comes against the backdrop of a major diplomatic dispute between the countries.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Dorgan had attended other hockey games without issue, and there’s no evidence so far that an altercation had occurred at the rink before the killings.—
Colleen Cronin,
Boston Herald,
17 Feb. 2026
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In the early hours of Tuesday morning, the Transformers actor was arrested in New Orleans after an alleged physical altercation outside of a Royal Street business.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The victim was stabbed multiple times in the back as the quarrel escalated, police said.—
Rocco Parascandola,
New York Daily News,
11 Feb. 2026
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This time, the quarrel between state and Hamilton County leaders is about language, slipped into a lengthy bill, that would nullify rental cap ordinances.—
Jake Allen,
IndyStar,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The San Francisco native has been surrounded by controversy for many years, with global scrutiny and media coverage reaching a fever pitch during her 2022 Olympics debut in Beijing.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
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Last year’s festival, the first under Tuttle’s leadership, was largely free of such controversies.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
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This is not necessarily a disagreement with the party itself, but with certain practices that limit openness.—
Mary Ramsey,
Charlotte Observer,
14 Feb. 2026
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Debates and disagreements have gotten personal.—
Sarah Cutler,
Idaho Statesman,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
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How much were you involved in choreographing the fight scenes?—
Carole Horst,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2026
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My record is one of an effective lawmaker who never backs down from a fight.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Robert Herman, Paul Radvany and Walt De Treaux issued their decision Saturday, a day after hearing arguments.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
15 Feb. 2026
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The two erupt in argument, in misunderstanding, with John confessing his anger at his lot.—
Doreen St. Félix,
New Yorker,
14 Feb. 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 20 Feb. 2026.
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