crossfire

or cross fire

[ kraws-fahyer, kros‐ ]

noun

1. lines of gunfire from two or more positions or combatants crossing one another, or a single one of such lines.
2. a brisk exchange of words or opinions.
3. a situation involving conflicting claims, forces, etc.

crossfire

/ ˈkrɒsˌfaɪə /

noun

1. military converging fire from one or more positions
2. a lively exchange of ideas, opinions, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of crossfire¹

First recorded in 1855–60

Example Sentences

There will be more bloodshed as anti-Taliban tribal militias and ISIS variants compete for ground and influence, and many innocent people will be caught in the crossfire.

From Time

Contee said police believe the second victim was hit in the crossfire.

From Washington Blade

Facebook have proven again and again that they cannot be trusted to self-regulate when doing so would either harm their business model or put them in the crossfire of the regimes in any given country.

From The Daily Beast

Rotten Tomatoes has been caught in the crossfire of troll campaigns before.

From Washington Post

Social media platforms have become an ideological battleground, and in light of recent events, some brands are looking to keep themselves out of the crossfire by halting their social ad campaigns.

From Search Engine Land

But no more so than the Sodexo building maintenance man or the two cops who were also killed in the crossfire.

From The Daily Beast

A street sweeper was caught in the crossfire as a gunman fired at the officer, fatally wounding her in the back.

From The Daily Beast

These things also happen to people who you know are helpless, like random people caught in the crossfire.

From The Daily Beast

Many more lives, often of civilians stuck in the crossfire, will be lost.

From The Daily Beast

Everyone from right-leaning CNN Crossfire host S.E. Cupp, to E!

From The Daily Beast

I was on the side of the street next to the Brownsboro road, and hence thrown into all of the crossfire.

From Project Gutenberg

The questions of father and son were a crossfire, and it must be owned they had good reason for amazement.

From Project Gutenberg

The mayor was without ammunition to return Gibson's crossfire of charges against the administration.

From Project Gutenberg

Both advanced support parties were met by high-explosive bombs and a heavy crossfire from enemy machine-guns.

From Project Gutenberg

The brigade next to the pike, exposed to a galling crossfire, wavered and slowly retired.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• blast
• bombardment
• fusillade
• gunfire
• hail
• salvo
• shelling
• shower
• storm
• volley