cross-purpose

noun

cross-pur·pose ˈkrȯs-ˈpər-pəs

: a purpose usually unintentionally contrary to another purpose of oneself or of someone or something else

—usually used in plural

the two were always working at cross-purposes

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Over the last year, the Fed’s duties as an inflation fighter and a bank regulator have been at cross-purposes. —

Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2023 Added difficulty stems from the fact that typical solutions for them can work at cross-purposes. —

Erika Page, The Christian Science Monitor, 16 Mar. 2023 In my experience, nothing can hold a team back more than using different spreadsheets for cross-purposes. —

Rahul Shah, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2023 Shree sets out to explore how Ma’s muteness brings out the best and worst in her kin, among whom there are constant exchanges at cross-purposes but few scenes of direct, meaningful conversation. —

Anjum Hasan, The New York Review of Books, 2 Mar. 2023

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