Cross-examine
verb
To question a person carefully, often about things they have just said, to find out more information or find mistakes in their story.
The lawyer will cross-examine the witness tomorrow to find out more about the case.
Often appears as...
- cross-examine the witness
- cross-examine the defendant
Usage tips
Formal
Academic
verb
To ask someone a lot of questions in a thorough manner to verify the information they have presented.
Detectives cross-examined the suspect to find out if he was telling the truth.
Often appears as...
- cross-examine thoroughly
- cross-examine intensely
verb
To question a person carefully, often about things they have just said, to find out more information or find mistakes in their story.
The lawyer will cross-examine the witness tomorrow to find out more about the case.
Often appears as...
- cross-examine the witness
- cross-examine the defendant
Usage tips
Formal
Academic
verb
To ask someone a lot of questions in a thorough manner to verify the information they have presented.
Detectives cross-examined the suspect to find out if he was telling the truth.
Often appears as...
- cross-examine thoroughly
- cross-examine intensely
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Legal Setting
Used in courts; a lawyer asks questions to challenge a witness's testimony.
The defense attorney cross-examined the witness, highlighting inconsistencies.
Pro Tip 2/3Strategy Involved
Cross-examination is strategic, aimed at revealing truth or weakening the opposition's case.
During cross-examination, the lawyer discredited the key witness.
Pro Tip 3/3High Pressure
The atmosphere is tense; witnesses may be stressed as they face tough questions.
The judge warned the lawyer not to intimidate the witness during cross-examination.
Pro Tip 1/3Legal Setting
Used in courts; a lawyer asks questions to challenge a witness's testimony.
The defense attorney cross-examined the witness, highlighting inconsistencies.
Pro Tip 2/3Strategy Involved
Cross-examination is strategic, aimed at revealing truth or weakening the opposition's case.
During cross-examination, the lawyer discredited the key witness.
Pro Tip 3/3High Pressure
The atmosphere is tense; witnesses may be stressed as they face tough questions.
The judge warned the lawyer not to intimidate the witness during cross-examination.
Pro Tip 1/3Legal Setting
Used in courts; a lawyer asks questions to challenge a witness's testimony.
The defense attorney cross-examined the witness, highlighting inconsistencies.
Pro Tip 2/3Strategy Involved
Cross-examination is strategic, aimed at revealing truth or weakening the opposition's case.
During cross-examination, the lawyer discredited the key witness.
Pro Tip 3/3High Pressure
The atmosphere is tense; witnesses may be stressed as they face tough questions.
The judge warned the lawyer not to intimidate the witness during cross-examination.
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Video examples
Racism thrives on...
And they just went ahead and did it anyway. And I tried to think of them as I was cross-examining the prison officers. And I would say to each of them, "Look at Mrs. Manning, Alton's mother,
Video examples
Racism thrives on...
And they just went ahead and did it anyway. And I tried to think of them as I was cross-examining the prison officers. And I would say to each of them, "Look at Mrs. Manning, Alton's mother,
Example 1 of 1
Quote examples
Stephanie Coontz
American Author
There's nothing wrong with celebrating the good things in our past. But memories, like witnesses, do not always tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. We need to cross-examine them, recognizing and accepting the inconsistencies and gaps in those that make us proud and happy as well as those that cause us pain.
Quote examples
Kevin Mitnick
American Businessman
Our Constitution requires that the accused be presumed innocent before trial, thus granting all citizens the right to a bail hearing, where the accused has the opportunity to be represented by counsel, present evidence, and cross-examine witnesses.
Quote examples
John Sherman Cooper
American Politician
We provided complete protection to witnesses - right of attorney, right of record, right to cross-examine, and open hearing if they desired. Only Mr. Lane asked for an open hearing.
Quote examples
Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Indian Director
I can't begin to describe how humiliating it is for a law-abiding citizen to be cross-examined in a court of law for a crime he hasn't committed.
Quote examples
Tamara Ecclestone
American Celebrity
My dream job would be a lawyer. I can talk my way out of anything, and I love cross-examining people. I think I'd be a really good lawyer.
Quote examples
Stephanie Coontz
American Author
There's nothing wrong with celebrating the good things in our past. But memories, like witnesses, do not always tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. We need to cross-examine them, recognizing and accepting the inconsistencies and gaps in those that make us proud and happy as well as those that cause us pain.
Quote examples
Kevin Mitnick
American Businessman
Our Constitution requires that the accused be presumed innocent before trial, thus granting all citizens the right to a bail hearing, where the accused has the opportunity to be represented by counsel, present evidence, and cross-examine witnesses.
Quote examples
John Sherman Cooper
American Politician
We provided complete protection to witnesses - right of attorney, right of record, right to cross-examine, and open hearing if they desired. Only Mr. Lane asked for an open hearing.
Quote examples
Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Indian Director
I can't begin to describe how humiliating it is for a law-abiding citizen to be cross-examined in a court of law for a crime he hasn't committed.
Quote examples
Tamara Ecclestone
American Celebrity
My dream job would be a lawyer. I can talk my way out of anything, and I love cross-examining people. I think I'd be a really good lawyer.
Example 1 of 5
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