Definition

Noun: A person who conducts a cross-examination, especially in a court of law or formal proceeding. This involves questioning a witness who has already testified, typically to test the truthfulness, consistency, or completeness of their earlier testimony, often in an adversarial manner.

Usage

The term is used to identify the specific role of an individual (usually a lawyer) who is actively questioning a witness called by the opposing side. It emphasizes the adversarial and investigative nature of the questioning.

Examples

• The defense attorney, acting as the cross-examiner, exposed inconsistencies in the witness's story.
• A skilled cross-examiner can challenge a witness's credibility without appearing hostile to the jury.
• Under intense questioning from the prosecutor as cross-examiner, the witness became flustered.

Advanced Usage

• The role of the cross-examiner is central to the adversarial legal system, aiming to uncover the truth by rigorously testing evidence presented by the opposing party.
• In broader, non-legal contexts, the term can be used metaphorically for someone who subjects another person to intense, detailed, and challenging questioning.

Variants and Related Words

• Cross-examine (verb): To question a witness called by the opposing side.
• Cross-examination (noun): The act or process of cross-examining.

Synonyms

• Interrogator
• Questioner
• Inquisitor (in a legal or formal context)

Antonyms

• Witness (the person being questioned)
• Direct examiner (the lawyer who questions their own witness first)

Noun

1. someone who questions a witness carefully (especially about testimony given earlier)