cross-examine

verb

To question (someone) closely in order to verify facts, or information previously given.

Similar
cross-examcross-questioncross-interrogate
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Meanings

verbcross-examine (third-person singular simple present cross-examines, present participle cross-examining, simple past and past participle cross-examined)

present singular third person cross-examines · participle present cross-examining · participle past cross-examined · past cross-examined · alternative cross examine

  1. transitiveTo question (someone) closely in order to verify facts, or information previously given.

    Synonyms: cross-exam, cross-question, cross-interrogate

  2. intransitiveTo question a trial witness who has already been questioned by the other side.

Synonyms & antonyms

verbTo question (someone) closely in order to verify facts, or information previously given.

Similar
cross-examcross-questioncross-interrogate
Also see
cross-examcross-interrogate

Origin

From cross- + examine.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Finnish ristikuulustella
  • ristikuulustellato subject a person to a cross examination
German ins Kreuzverhör nehmen
  • ins Kreuzverhör nehmento subject a person to a cross examination
Cite this entry
APA

cross-examine. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/cross-examine

MLA

“cross-examine.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/cross-examine. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “cross-examine,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/cross-examine.

Source: cross-examine on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.