cross fire

noun

1

a

: firing (as in combat) from two or more points so that the lines of fire cross

b

: a situation wherein the forces of opposing factions meet, cross, or clash

caught in a political cross fire

2

: rapid or heated exchange of words

Synonyms

• altercation
• argle-bargle [chiefly British]
• argument
• argy-bargy [chiefly British]
• battle royal
• bicker
• brawl
• contretemps
• controversy
• disagreement
• dispute
• donnybrook
• falling-out
• fight
• hassle
• imbroglio
• kickup
• misunderstanding
• quarrel
• rhubarb
• row
• scrap
• set-to
• spat
• squabble
• tiff
• wrangle

Examples of cross fire in a Sentence

viewers tune in to witness the weekly cross fire between the liberal and conservative commentators

Recent Examples on the Web

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

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

Word History

First Known Use

1799, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

cross fire

noun

1

: gunfire from two or more places so that the lines of fire cross

2

: a rapid or angry exchange (as of words)