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
But most DDoS attacks were less principled: the constant AK-47 cross fire of the cybercriminal internet’s internecine wars and vandalism.
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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
That work is possible thanks to an exception in California’s penal code that specifically carves out privileges for journalists to cross fire lines.
—Grant Stringer, The Christian Science Monitor, 26 Aug. 2022
See all Example Sentences for cross fire 
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
That work is possible thanks to an exception in California’s penal code that specifically carves out privileges for journalists to cross fire lines.
—Grant Stringer, The Christian Science Monitor, 26 Aug. 2022
See all Example Sentences for cross fire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cross fire
Noun
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Research has distinguished between three simple strategies to deal with neighbor disputes: avoidance of the party whose behavior is experienced as unneighborly; confronting the neighbor face-to-face; and relying on a third party to sort out the issue, e.g. the landlord or even police.Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024
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Nearly a decade later, a dark storm cloud has descended upon his increasingly unpopular administration, with the resignation of a top Cabinet minister over a dispute about how to manage US president-elect Donald Trump’s tariff threats.Lex Harvey, CNN, 17 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Jamie Foxx is thanking fans for their support after an altercation at his birthday dinner this weekend required him to get stitches.Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 15 Dec. 2024
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Things got worse for Curtis, who was arrested and charged with assault because of his altercation with assistant DA Daniels.Barry Levitt, TIME, 11 Dec. 2024
Noun
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That’s the main quarrel of opponents of such conservation projects.Christine Ro, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
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Experts at the conference floated the possibility that the aquatic quarrel could make its way to the Supreme Court, though that’s viewed as a crisis that should be averted.Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 10 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The records put an end to a monthslong controversy over whether Winfrey was paid for endorsing the former Democratic presidential nominee.Karissa Waddick, USA TODAY, 7 Dec. 2024
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After Joaquin Phoenix dropped out of Todd Haynes’ gay romance film in September, just days before filming started, Haynes has spoken out for the first time about the controversy.Them, Them, 6 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Any disagreements or requests for information should be noted in that report.Madeline Mitchell, The Enquirer, 8 Dec. 2024
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Relationships, at their best, are not just defined by extraordinary moments or their endings—they’re about the moments in between, the routine, the joy, the disagreements and the growth.Mark Travers, Forbes, 7 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Dylan and Baez didn’t get into a fight onstage over the setlist.Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 11 Dec. 2024
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While the fight was supposed to be an exhibition, Anpo didn’t appear to get the memo.Brian Mazique, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The legislation is part of a broader push to inject religious teachings into schools and comes as a growing number of Republicans nationally have openly embraced arguments that American politics and culture are rooted in the Christian faith.KACEN BAYLESS THE KANSAS CITY STAR (TNS), arkansasonline.com, 14 Dec. 2024
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The court was set to hear arguments in December but cancelled the proceeding after Trump’s election win; it has not been rescheduled.Ella Lee, The Hill, 13 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The show is a battle royal between two classes of chefs: the elite white spoons, who are culinary masters respected for their knowledge, longevity, and pedigree; and the black spoons, talented chefs, cooks, and restaurateurs who are still on their journey to mastery and recognition.Karen Yuan, Bon Appétit, 18 Dec. 2024
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Cargill entered the battle royal towards the end, successfully eliminating stars like Nia Jax and Becky Lynch.Joe Otterson, Variety, 20 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near cross fire
Cite this Entry
“Cross fire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cross%20fire. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
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