Synonyms

cross swords

Idioms

Fight, either verbally or physically. For example, At every policy meeting the two vice-presidents crossed swords. This phrase alludes to the ancient form of combat using swords. Also see at sword's point.

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.

Zohran Mamdani, the young star of the US left, started his first day as New York mayor on Thursday for a term sure to see him cross swords with President Donald Trump.

From Barron's • Jan. 1, 2026

Because of their ubiquity, on the island and globally, foxes are a cute, however curious, choice over which to cross swords.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 4, 2023

The kids exercise their active imaginations in the woods, where they pretend to shoot arrows and cross swords in combat.

From New York Times • Nov. 13, 2020

"Magritte wanted to cross swords, meaning to engage in a theoretical combat with the philosophers, to prove to them that images can express thoughts in the same way that words can," Ottinger said.

From Reuters • Sep. 22, 2016

I wanted very much to cross swords with Percy Yutar, but it was more important that I use the platform to highlight our grievances.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023