crosshair
noun
cross·hair
ˈkrȯs-ˌher 
: a fine wire or thread in the focus of the eyepiece of an optical instrument used as a reference line in the field or for marking the instrumental axis
—used figuratively to describe someone or something being targeted as if through an aiming device having crosshairs
… in the crosshairs this political season—
J. H. Alter
J. H. AlterExamples of crosshair in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Bay Area’s largest cities are accustomed to finding themselves in President Donald Trump’s crosshairs, but even some smaller suburbs here wound up last week on a list of places accused of shielding immigrants from federal authorities.
—Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 3 June 2025
Viewed as one of the best combo guards in the 2025 draft class, the 19-year-old fared well at the combine in Chicago and appears to be in the Hornets’ crosshairs.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 30 May 2025
As a result, Lilo gets caught in their crosshairs and winds up getting kidnapped herself.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 25 May 2025
The company’s reliance on a crucial pipeline outside the U.S. thrust the technology trendsetter into the crosshairs of Trump’s trade war.
—Michael Liedtke, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for crosshair
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Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 3 June 2025
Viewed as one of the best combo guards in the 2025 draft class, the 19-year-old fared well at the combine in Chicago and appears to be in the Hornets’ crosshairs.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 30 May 2025
As a result, Lilo gets caught in their crosshairs and winds up getting kidnapped herself.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 25 May 2025
The company’s reliance on a crucial pipeline outside the U.S. thrust the technology trendsetter into the crosshairs of Trump’s trade war.
—Michael Liedtke, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for crosshair
Cite this Entry
“Crosshair.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crosshair. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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