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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The unresolved regulatory boundaries have led to numerous legal disputes with the states and tribes that regulate and tax gambling.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
24 Apr. 2026
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This week, the dispute between The Deb actress Charlotte MacInnes and its director, Rebel Wilson, spilled into the Federal Court in Australia, and Jake has been tracking the story.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
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At 20, he was arrested after a routine traffic stop turned into a violent altercation with police.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
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The altercation between Avdija and Castle put an end to a frustrating day for the Trail Blazers, who lost Game 4 by 21 points after holding a 17-point lead at halftime.—
The Athletic NBA Staff,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
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As the quarrel turned physical, the woman pushed Smith to the ground, witnesses told police.—
Rocco Parascandola,
New York Daily News,
22 Apr. 2026
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What followed was a benches-clearing quarrel between Miller, Sal Stewart and their respective teams, the dramatic conclusion to a two-day saga between the Giants and Reds featuring beanballs, cuss words and aggressive gesticulation.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The new controversy comes at a moment when the region is already grappling with internal divisions.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
29 Apr. 2026
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Branca's tenure, however, hasn't been without controversy.—
Samantha Stutsman,
PEOPLE,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Massie came to Congress as a spending hawk, and more than a decade later, that remains his signature issue and the source of many of his disagreements with GOP leaders.—
Russell Berman,
The Atlantic,
25 Apr. 2026
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And the choices may provoke some disagreement.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
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At one point, the crew shot a scene in which Whalen’s character joins a bar fight, shouting invectives at a hapless extra before pummelling him to the ground.—
Chang Che,
New Yorker,
25 Apr. 2026
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Denver police on Thursday arrested a 28-year-old man who investigators said shot and killed another man in a fight near South Broadway and West Maple Avenue, department officials said in a news release.—
Katie Langford,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The defendant got into some sort of argument with Velasquez, who was sitting on a stool outside the store, before the deadly conflict.—
City News Service,
Oc Register,
25 Apr. 2026
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As the argument continued, Alexander and his 62-year-old father, in turn, urinated on his neighbor’s yard in apparent retaliation for the dog’s actions, prosecutors say.—
Kerry Burke,
New York Daily News,
25 Apr. 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 2 May. 2026.
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