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
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
Thousands of wealthy Arabs left in anticipation of war, thousands more responded to Arab leaders’ call to get out of the way of the advancing armies, a handful were expelled, but most simply fled to avoid being caught in the cross fire of battle.
—Benjamin Weinthal, Fox News, 15 May 2023
For two months they were trapped in their house, without electricity, windows shattered, caught in the cross fire of constant shelling.
—George Packer, The Atlantic, 6 Sep. 2022
See All Example Sentences for cross fire
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
Thousands of wealthy Arabs left in anticipation of war, thousands more responded to Arab leaders’ call to get out of the way of the advancing armies, a handful were expelled, but most simply fled to avoid being caught in the cross fire of battle.
—Benjamin Weinthal, Fox News, 15 May 2023
For two months they were trapped in their house, without electricity, windows shattered, caught in the cross fire of constant shelling.
—George Packer, The Atlantic, 6 Sep. 2022
See All Example Sentences for cross fire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cross fire
Noun
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The incident comes roughly three months after workplace dispute led to a shooting at a Texas USPS distribution facility that left one worker dead.—
David Matthews,
New York Daily News,
5 Mar. 2025
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The dispute about the FEMA funds comes as the Trump administration is considering reshaping or abolishing FEMA.—
Peter Charalambous,
ABC News,
5 Mar. 2025
Noun
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While some Iranian reformists have traditionally advocated for talks with the U.S., the Oval Office altercation has led to a reassessment.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
3 Mar. 2025
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Not that this is necessarily the reason but an AI bot making Oscar predictions is forecasting a Will Smith/Chris Rock-style altercation between Brody and Chalamet.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
28 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Sridhar Ramaswamy has a war cabinet of workers and frequently gets into quarrels with staffers over AI ambition.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
24 Feb. 2025
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He’s been the attorney general for the state the last eight years, regularly an ally of litigation-ready Gov. Roy Cooper in quarrels with the Legislature.—
Alan Wooten | The Center Square,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
12 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The controversy surrounding Musk's involvement in Social Security stems from his push for deep cuts in government spending while also suggesting Social Security could be targeted.—
William Lambers,
Newsweek,
9 Mar. 2025
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The estate, at the edge of Chico State’s campus, served as a cultural touchstone and educational space for generations of Chico residents, but not without controversy.—
Jake Goodrick,
Sacramento Bee,
9 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Daylight saving time isn’t going away anytime soon While all but two states in the U.S. continue to observe daylight saving time, there is still disagreement about whether the practice should be eliminated or made permanent.—
Kevinisha Walker,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2025
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Under the current system, the council’s discretion to overturn such decisions is limited to when there has been a procedural error — not a disagreement about historic value.—
Noah Lyons,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Their responses indicate a lengthy fight to come over the budget resolution.—
Sudiksha Kochi,
USA TODAY,
27 Feb. 2025
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His childhood was turbulent—his parents' frequent fights sometimes turned physical, with his father directing his frustrations at young Gene.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
27 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The argument as articulated so far by Trump administration officials appears to play down the economic benefits created by Social Security payments, infrastructure spending, scientific research and other forms of government spending that can shape an economy’s trajectory.—
Josh Boak,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Mar. 2025
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People have different reassurance languages, and using the wrong one can leave your partner feeling unsettled, even if the argument is technically over.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes,
2 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Then, to complete the drama, the big grizzly had caught the two intruders and slaughtered them in a battle royal.—
Tom Stacer,
Outdoor Life,
20 Feb. 2025
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After all, who doesn't love a giant in a battle royal?—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
25 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cross fire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cross%20fire. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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