Definition

1. Noun:
   • Someone who questions a witness carefully, especially about testimony given earlier: A cross-questioner is a person, often a lawyer or an official examiner, who conducts a detailed and probing interrogation of a witness, typically to test the consistency, accuracy, or truthfulness of their previous statements.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The defense attorney, acting as the cross-questioner, exposed inconsistencies in the witness's story.
  • A skilled cross-questioner can reveal crucial details that were omitted during the initial testimony.

Advanced Usage

• Legal Context: The term is most commonly used in formal legal, judicial, or investigative settings. The cross-questioner's role is distinct from the initial examiner; their purpose is to challenge and scrutinize.
  • The judge reminded the cross-questioner to focus on the facts presented in the witness's direct examination.

Variants and Related Words

• Cross-question (verb): To question (a witness) closely, especially to check a previous testimony.
  • The lawyer will cross-question the witness tomorrow.
• Cross-examination (noun): The act or process of cross-questioning a witness.
  • During the cross-examination, new evidence came to light.

Synonyms

• Interrogator: A person who questions someone closely, aggressively, or formally.
• Examiner: A person who inspects or investigates something or someone, often in an official capacity.
• Inquisitor: A person making an inquiry, especially one seen as overly harsh or severe.

Related Phrases

• To subject to cross-questioning: To cause someone to undergo a detailed interrogation.
  • The witness was subjected to intense cross-questioning for two hours.

Noun

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