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Definitions

crossfire

[kraws-fahyer, kros‐] / ˈkrɔsˌfaɪər, ˈkrɒs‐ /
NOUN
barrage
Synonyms
STRONGEST
blast bombardment fusillade gunfire hail salvo shelling shower storm volley
STRONG
battery broadside cannonade discharge enfilade fire
WEAK
curtain of fire
NOUN
fire
Synonyms
STRONGEST
attack bombardment bombing explosion shelling
STRONG
bombarding cannonade cannonading fusillade hail round salvo sniping volley
NOUN
interchange
Synonyms
STRONGEST
give-and-take intersection junction networking
STRONG
altering alternation barter change mesh reciprocation shift trade transposition variation varying
NOUN
volley
Synonyms
STRONGEST
burst firing gunfire salvo
STRONG
battery bombardment cannonade enfilade hail round shelling shower storm
WEAK
fussilade

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

Now, school picture day is in the crossfire.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 22, 2026

"As someone who's been caught in the crossfire before, I feel sorry for the athletes," she said.

From BBC • Feb. 19, 2026

Many athletes leapt to Hess' defence, including Gu: "As someone who's been caught in the crossfire before, I feel sorry for the athletes".

From BBC • Feb. 13, 2026

“That means tanglin’ with Serakeen, if we don’t get caught in the crossfire between Oxscini and Everica first.

From "The Reader" by Traci Chee

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.