cross-examine
Americanverb (used with object)
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to examine by questions intended to check a previous examination; examine closely or minutely.
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Law. to examine (a witness called by the opposing side), as for the purpose of discrediting the witness's testimony.
verb
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law to examine (a witness for the opposing side), as in attempting to discredit his testimony Compare examine-in-chief
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to examine closely or relentlessly
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
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has cross-examinedperfect 3rd person singular
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have cross-examinedperfect
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is cross-examiningprogressive 3rd person singular
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has been cross-examiningperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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am cross-examiningprogressive 1st person singular
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cross-examiningparticiple
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cross-examinessingular 3rd person
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are cross-examiningprogressive
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have been cross-examiningperfect progressive
Past
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had cross-examinedperfect
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was cross-examiningprogressive singular
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had been cross-examiningperfect progressive
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were cross-examiningprogressive plural
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cross-examinedsimple
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cross-examinedparticiple
Future
Etymology
Origin of cross-examine
First recorded in 1655–65
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Ruemmler told the Journal that she never drafted a letter, represented Epstein or was asked to cross-examine victims.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 20, 2026
Unlike in a criminal case, Abrego Garcia was not given the right to confront or cross-examine the witnesses against him.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 16, 2025
The trial continued, and on 24 March Stephen Leslie KC was brought in to cross-examine Mr Perks - a measure made to provide balance to the prosecution case.
From BBC • Apr. 8, 2025
Trump’s legal team was also allowed to dispute evidence, cross-examine witnesses called by opposing counsel, and raise questions of law and fact throughout the trial—all of which they did aggressively and comprehensively.
From Salon • Sep. 8, 2024
Mom walks him out, and before she can return to cross-examine me, I’ve escaped to my room with my cell phone.
From "The Running Dream" by Wendelin Van Draanen
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
