collocation · formal
cross-examine a witness
UK/ˌkrɒs ɪɡˈzæmɪn ə ˈwɪtnəs/US/ˌkrɑːs ɪɡˈzæmɪn ə ˈwɪtnəs/cross·ex·AM·ine a WIT·ness
to question a witness in court, especially in order to challenge or discredit their testimony
Examples
“The defence lawyer will cross-examine the witness tomorrow.”
“During cross-examination, small contradictions in the story became clear.”
“Experienced barristers know how to cross-examine a witness effectively.”
Band 8 sentence
“The defence counsel cross-examined the witness relentlessly, exposing several inconsistencies in his account.”
Collocations
- conduct a cross-examination
- prepare to cross-examine
Word family
Common mistakes
interrogate the witness→cross-examine a witness
question a witness→cross-examine a witness
Say it for a higher band
5ask questions→6question a witness→7+cross-examine a witness
Synonyms
grill
interrogate
Easily confused
interrogate
“The detective interrogated the suspect for six hours.”
Related words
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