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Synonyms

crossfire

American  
[kraws-fahyer, kros‐] / ˈkrɔsˌfaɪər, ˈkrɒs‐ /
Or cross fire

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 British  
/ ˈkrɒsˌfaɪə /

noun

  1. military converging fire from one or more positions

  2. 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

Etymology

Origin of crossfire

First recorded in 1855–60

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.

For many young Lebanese caught in the crossfire, their formative years have been jeopardised by repeated conflicts and crises.

From Barron's • Mar. 20, 2026

Tit-for-tat strikes in recent days have thrust one of the world’s key chokepoints for energy into the crossfire.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 2, 2026

Crypto-related stocks were caught in the crossfire, too.

From Barron's • Feb. 27, 2026

They were bystanders, it turned out, caught in crossfire.

From BBC • Feb. 25, 2026

Meanwhile, Genie had run inside, his palm to his eye, and stepped right into Ma and Dad’s crossfire over how she was feeling neglected.

From "As Brave As You" by Jason Reynolds

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.