crossfire

or cross fire

[ kraws-fahyer, kros‐ ]

/ ˈkrɔsˌfaɪər, ˈkrɒs‐ /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR crossfire ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

lines of gunfire from two or more positions or combatants crossing one another, or a single one of such lines.

a brisk exchange of words or opinions.

a situation involving conflicting claims, forces, etc.

Nearby words

crossed hemianesthesia, crossed hemianopsia, crossed hemiplegia, crossed reflex, crossette, crossfire, crossfoot, crosshatch, crosshead, crossing, crossing guard

Origin of crossfire

First recorded in 1855–60

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for crossfire

But no more so than the Sodexo building maintenance man or the two cops who were also killed in the crossfire.
Trolls and Martyrdom: Je Ne Suis Pas Charlie|Arthur Chu|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
A street sweeper was caught in the crossfire as a gunman fired at the officer, fatally wounding her in the back.
France Mourns—and Hunts|Nico Hines, Christopher Dickey|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
These things also happen to people who you know are helpless, like random people caught in the crossfire.
Bergdahl’s Bitter Homecoming: The Psychological Cost of War|Jean Kim|July 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Many more lives, often of civilians stuck in the crossfire, will be lost.
Why Putin Let MH17 Get Shot Down|James Miller|July 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST

And when you are in public office, expect to get caught in the crossfire, especially if there are RICO statutes.
Can America’s Favorite Ex-Con Mayor Win Again?|David Freedlander|June 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The questions of father and son were a crossfire, and it must be owned they had good reason for amazement.
The Companions of Jehu|Alexandre Dumas, pre
They were overeager to contact the fighters and one of them caught a crossfire as he roared in.
A Yankee Flier with the R.A.F.|Rutherford G. Montgomery
He also had a crossfire, that he used at times with telling effect.
Baseball Joe, Home Run King|Lester Chadwick
The direct and crossfire of these guns were so coordinated that many guns could play upon a dangerous enemy approach.
The Fight for the Argonne|William Benjamin West
Several had been wounded in the crossfire of the two opposing forces, but their bodies had been removed.
The Radio Boys' Search for the Inca's Treasure|Gerald Breckenridge

British Dictionary definitions for crossfire

crossfire

/ (ˈkrɒsˌfaɪə) /

noun

military converging fire from one or more positions

a lively exchange of ideas, opinions, etc

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

crossfire

or cross fire

noun

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of crossfire

Examples from the Web for crossfire

British Dictionary definitions for crossfire

crossfire

noun