cross fires

noun

plural of cross fire
as in quarrels
an often noisy or angry expression of differing opinions viewers tune in to witness the weekly cross fire between the liberal and conservative commentators

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cross fires
  1. quarrels
  2. disputes
  3. altercations
  4. disagreements
  5. fights
  6. controversies
  7. arguments
  8. rows
Noun
  • The overtones of social significance are adroitly handled and make real sense in an era of tragic international quarrels.
    — THR Staff, HollywoodReporter, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Unlike Christian priests and medicine men, who generally command respect, rainmakers are sometimes seen as malicious people who retaliate against whole communities for quarrels with their neighbors.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of quarrels
Noun
  • China’s expanding naval capabilities could alter regional military calculations, particularly in areas where maritime disputes and competing territorial claims already exist.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2026
  • With first-party fraud and friendly disputes eroding already thin retail margins, managing chargebacks requires far more than basic operational recovery.
    — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of disputes
Noun
  • Parks workers who don't comply with the new policy could face discipline, officials said, adding, the policy also instructs them to not engage in any verbal or physical altercations with ICE agents.
    — Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Other witnesses, including friends of Smith and Parker, recalled past altercations between the couple.
    — Annie Martin, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of altercations
Noun
  • But even within the bloc seeking to replace Netanyahu, disagreements remain over how to secure the parliamentary support needed to govern.
    — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Discussing realistic exit scenarios early, and documenting how disagreements will be resolved, protects the relationship as much as the investment.
    — Anas Bhairi, Forbes.com, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of disagreements
Noun
  • In a separate incident, Modesto police cited a Riverbank High School student suspected of making a threatening social media post targeting Beyer following the fights.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Federal budget fights will likely resurface arguments about tax incentives for EVs and other clean tech.
    — Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of fights
Noun
  • Marshall’s campaign, in turn, faced an onslaught of controversies that his critics amplified in the race’s final weeks, including his medical debt collection practices and the blurred lines between his office and campaign staff.
    — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Both candidates faced controversies throughout the campaign, including a dispute over a May traffic stop in which Lombardo was pulled over for allegedly running a red light in Las Vegas.
    — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of controversies
Noun
  • The defendant’s attorney asked for the hearing for the judge to listen to arguments and determine whether to set bail for Guzman.
    — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Oral arguments Several of the conservative justices repeatedly raised concerns that the nondiscrimination rule was effectively a back-door way to keep religious entities out of the universal preschool program.
    — Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of arguments
Noun
  • Seats can come designed together or separately in alternate rows.
    — Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Celebrants place rows of traditional clay oil lamps outside their homes to symbolize the victory of light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of rows
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.

Browse Nearby Words

cross fire
cross fires
cross-grained
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Cite this Entry

“Cross fires.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cross%20fires. Accessed 8 Nov. 2026.

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