cross-examine
KRAWS-ig-ZAM-in
/ˌkrɔːs ɪɡˈzæmɪn/
To question a witness called by the opposing side in a trial, especially to discredit their testimony or test its consistency.
Implies a highly strategic, adversarial, and rigorous questioning process designed to find contradictions or lies.
The story behind the word. The term arose in the English common law system. It describes the physical layout of the courtroom where a lawyer crosses over the metaphorical divide to question a witness brought by the opposing side, testing the weight of their words.
Word relationships
- interrogate: Interrogate is done by investigators or police behind closed doors, whereas cross-examine is typically done in a public courtroom by opposing counsel.
- grill: Grill is informal and emotional, while cross-examine is structured, rule-bound, and highly tactical.
- direct-examine: To question your own witness in a friendly, supportive manner to build your case.
Commonly confused with
- examine: To examine is to ask questions of your own witness to present facts; to cross-examine is to question the opponent's witness to tear down their facts.
Word family
- cross-examination (noun): The formal questioning of an opposing witness.
- cross-examiner (noun): The lawyer or person conducting a cross-examination.
Collocations
- cross-examine a witness
- opportunity to cross-examine
- vigorously cross-examine
Example sentences
- "The defense attorney rose to cross-examine the prosecution's key witness, hoping to expose a flaw in her memory." A dramatic moment in a courtroom trial.
- "The board members proceeded to cross-examine the project manager on his unrealistic budget projections." An intense business meeting where a proposal is challenged.
Memory hook
Picture an angry lawyer crossing their arms while examining a witness to catch them in a lie. Crossing arms to catch a liar.
When not to use
Do not use for simple, cooperative questioning; it must involve testing or challenging someone's story.
Fun facts
- In legal theory, cross-examination is considered the greatest legal engine ever invented for the discovery of truth.
Related words
Explore more words
impeach, scrutinize, contradict, double-cross, discredit, confrontation
Also appears in
Take your vocabulary further with LangBlitz
Our English vocabulary app: FSRS spaced repetition, 5,000+ curated words across 119 topic groups, CEFR A1 to C2. Explore your mastery with the beautiful Vocabulary World feature.