How to Use direct examination in a Sentence

direct examination

noun
  • Rapp was matter-of-fact while testifying on direct examination, though at times his voice seemed strained.
    — Victoria Bekiempis, Vulture, 11 Oct. 2022
  • Brennan, on direct examination, asked Bukhenik if there was a phrase about that in law enforcement circles.
    — Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 9 May 2025
  • Prosecutors said their direct examination took less than two days, probably only a day and a half.
    — Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 15 May 2025
  • While Heard’s direct examination took up the bulk of the day in court, Depp’s lawyers were able to begin their cross later in the afternoon.
    — Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 16 May 2022
  • Later on Monday, an Epic lawyer brought up Apple's sly stunt in direct examination.
    — Robert Hackett, Fortune, 11 May 2021
  • Lisa Rocchio is on direct examination by Rapp’s legal team and is expected to be their final witness.
    — Sonia Moghe, CNN, 13 Oct. 2022
  • Almena told jurors under direct examination that there was rarely debauchery at the warehouse.
    — Megan Cassidy, SFChronicle.com, 10 July 2019
  • And anecdotes, short biographies and diary entries are no substitute for a direct examination.
    — Jason Daley, Smithsonian, 5 June 2019
  • Over three days of direct examination, Heard’s attorneys presented a series of photos that showed marks on her arms, as well as bruises on her face and hairline.
    — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 16 May 2022
  • The jury listened inside the courtroom to audio of the direct examination portion of the testimony for a little over an hour before a brief recess.
    — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 15 Mar. 2024
  • Her testimony came on re-direct examination by prosecutors as Pace's time on the stand wound down Thursday.
    — Maria Puente, USA TODAY, 19 Aug. 2021
  • After Meadors ended his direct examination, Jim Griffin stepped in front of Smith and unfurled an enormous blue tarp.
    — Fox News, 6 Feb. 2023
  • When prosecutors questioned her on re-direct examination, Jane acknowledged that the bulk of their texts merely had to do with scheduling matters.
    — Megan Crepeau, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2022
  • The research offers a first direct examination of how various microplastics affect the human gut microbiome.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Her testimony Tuesday stopped short of that encounter, and she’s expected to take the stand to continue her direct examination on Wednesday.
    — John Annese, New York Daily News, 29 Apr. 2025
  • The direct examination by Apple’s lawyers may be pretty snooze worthy but, fingers crossed, maybe the sparks will fly when Epic’s attorneys get to cross-examine Cook?
    — Aaron Pressman, Fortune, 21 May 2021
  • Prosecutor Drew Rolle told the judge his direct examination of Leissner should conclude by Thursday.
    — Patricia Hurtado, Bloomberg.com, 23 Feb. 2022
  • After prosecutors wrapped up their direct examination of McRoy, Murdaugh removed his reading glasses and wiped his eyes with a tissue.
    — Fox News, 2 Feb. 2023
  • Later in the direct examination, the judge politely interrupted Wier Vaught several times, asking her to talk slower for the court reporter.
    — Ray Long, Chicago Tribune, 15 Jan. 2025
  • The defense’s direct examination of Travis McMichael continues.
    — Bill Rankin, ajc, 17 Nov. 2021
  • During her direct examination, Dever testified that Cox called her into his office and that the commissioner told her the department would support her and to tell the truth.
    — Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 27 Oct. 2025
  • During her direct examination, Dever testified that Cox called her into his office and that the commissioner told her the department would support her and to tell the truth.
    — Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Almena said under direct examination by his attorney, Tony Serra.
    — Megan Cassidy, SFChronicle.com, 9 July 2019
  • Meyers concluded her direct examination of Depp on Wednesday afternoon.
    — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 20 Apr. 2022
  • Hetman testified in direct examination Monday that her son had a Percocet addiction in 2013 and had quit cold turkey.
    — Sam Blum, New York Times, 19 Nov. 2025
  • This trial involved my first direct examination of a Deputy Chief Medical Examiner.
    — Woody Clermont, Sun Sentinel, 4 July 2024
  • Skaggs’ mother, Debbie Hetman, began the day by finishing her direct examination and was then cross-examined by the Angels.
    — Sam Blum, New York Times, 19 Nov. 2025
  • Kelly was the second defense attorney to cross examine Dan, who first took the stand for a direct examination from prosecutors Friday, March 18.
    — Arpan Lobo, Detroit Free Press, 22 Mar. 2022
  • The fight over Willis’ testimony began Monday afternoon when Morris paused her direct examination of Willis to talk to the judge about the investigation.
    — Ashley Remkus | [email protected], al, 6 Aug. 2021
  • Holmes’s defense team has conducted lengthy cross examinations of many of the prosecution’s witnesses, often stretching their questioning even longer than the government’s direct examination.
    — Washington Post, 19 Nov. 2021

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'direct examination.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Last Updated: