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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The ruling advances Chiles toward resolving a dispute marked by errors that cost her the floor exercise bronze medal at the 2024 Summer Games.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
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The company added programmers’ streaming applications in Spectrum’s expanded basic packages to lower churn and had a slight bump in signups when Disney channels were unavailable for YouTube TV subscribers during a recent carriage dispute.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
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On Tuesday, Buda Mayor Lee Urbanovsky said city police were working with Hays CISD to collect witness statements and video evidence from students who were present during the altercation.—
Keri Heath,
Austin American Statesman,
3 Feb. 2026
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But there is a time and a place, and becoming embroiled in a physical altercation with a nightclub bouncer the night before leading your country in an international is neither the right time nor the right place.—
Paul Newman,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Some of the quarrels that divided Minneapolis city leaders only a few weeks ago, over policing or Gaza or the budget, have faded as people have come together to oppose ICE.—
Robert F. Worth,
The Atlantic,
26 Jan. 2026
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After all, this dispute is a business quarrel, rather than a personal one; while the lawsuit involves a college and a student, it’s better understood as a team trying to keep its star quarterback.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
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In fact, Nanos' last election was marred by controversy.—
Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
5 Feb. 2026
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The other agencies’ spending has not stirred controversy, so the Senate is expected to approve those budgets.—
David Lightman,
Sacbee.com,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The episode has punctured Preckwinkle’s reputation for managerial skill — a primary reason this page has endorsed her in previous elections despite some disagreements with other aspects of her record.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Jan. 2026
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Trump has demanded a resolution to the two countries’ long-standing disagreements about Iran’s nuclear ambitions.—
Vivian Salama,
The Atlantic,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Joining George in his fight to stop the slasher are a particularly suspicious student (Ian Sera) and a famous tennis pro (Lynda Day George) who, bored with the celebrity touring circuit, decides to join up as an undercover detective.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Jan. 2026
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Some Republicans are frustrated with the deal, raising the possibility of a prolonged shutdown fight when the House returns Monday to vote on the funding package.—
Joey Cappelletti,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Garnett, a Biden appointee and former Manhattan federal prosecutor, ruled after hearing oral arguments earlier this month.—
MICHAEL R. SISAK,
Arkansas Online,
31 Jan. 2026
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The paper also raised a common argument against geoengineering—that pursuing these ideas is a dangerous distraction from decarbonization, the best solution to climate change.—
Christian Elliott,
The Atlantic,
31 Jan. 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 6 Feb. 2026.
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