The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 letter word CROSSFIRE
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
C
R
O
S
S
F
I
R
E
More clues leading to the result CROSSFIRE
- Peevish cashier in combative exchange of views
- Mix force and fury in fierce exchange
- Angry, getting sack for lively exchange of views
- People die caught in this hybrid tree
- Angry female’s wrath in lively exchange
- Lively exchange of opinions might make one angry before launch
- Blaze under bridge, something one doesn’t want to be caught in
- Vexed soldiers, if about to get caught in this?
- Upset following passion, a dangerous situation
- It may come from clashing forces, sir!
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "fierce exchange" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case fierce exchange = crossfire.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does CROSSFIRE mean?
CROSSFIRE noun- Lines of fire from multiple positions that cross in a small region
- (by extension) A heated confrontation between opposing factions.