cross-examine

[ kraws-ig-zam-in, kros- ]

See synonyms for: cross-examine cross%20examination cross-examination crossexamination on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),cross-ex·am·ined, cross-ex·am·in·ing.

to examine by questions intended to check a previous examination; examine closely or minutely.
Law. to examine (a witness called by the opposing side), as for the purpose of discrediting the witness's testimony.

Origin of cross-examine

First recorded in 1655–65

Other words from cross-examine

cross-ex·am·i·na·tion, noun
cross-ex·am·in·er, noun
un·cross-ex·am·ined, adjective

Compare direct-examine.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use cross-examine in a sentence

If the witness did in fact witness such a terrible crime, the testimony will survive in the crucible of cross-examination.
There’s No Conspiracy in Ferguson’s Secret Jury | Paul Callan | November 17, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Olson praises Boies as “better at cross-examination than any trial lawyer I have ever seen.”
How the Tide Turned on Gay Marriage | Michael Signer | June 20, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
While the public gasped at this specious statement, the defense took over for cross examination.
Portrait of the Consummate Con Man | John Lardner | May 17, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Cross-examination is to ask questions, not to make declarative statements to test the story told on direct examination.
Pistorius’s Cross-Examination Could Have Been Grounds for a Mistrial in a U.S. Court | James D. Zirin | May 5, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
The cardinal rule of cross-examination is that the examiner must not make statements or make speeches.
Pistorius’s Cross-Examination Could Have Been Grounds for a Mistrial in a U.S. Court | James D. Zirin | May 5, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST

Proceeding in his cross examination, the counsel asked where the affray happened?
The Book of Anecdotes and Budget of Fun; | Various
Both of us were sorely put to it under Doria's indignant and suspicious cross-examination.
Jaffery | William J. Locke
In fact, he subjected me to a long sort of cross-examination respecting our friend Leonard here.
The Devil-Tree of El Dorado | Frank Aubrey
"I rather think not," said the Knight, who was by no means sorry to turn Mr. Dempsey from cross-examination into mere narrative.
The Knight Of Gwynne, Vol. II (of II) | Charles James Lever
Mr. Baker desired to make no cross-examination, and James's wife was called, and testified in her quaint way to the same effect.
By The Sea | Heman White Chaplin

British Dictionary definitions for cross-examine

cross-examine

verb(tr)

law to examine (a witness for the opposing side), as in attempting to discredit his testimony: Compare examine-in-chief
to examine closely or relentlessly

Derived forms of cross-examine

cross-examination, noun
cross-examiner, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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