crosscurrent

noun

cross·​cur·​rent ˈkrȯs-ˌkər-ənt How to pronounce crosscurrent (audio)
-ˌkə-rənt
1
: a current running counter to the general forward direction
2
: a conflicting tendency
usually used in plural
political crosscurrents

Examples of crosscurrent in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web His position reflects his political vulnerabilities and at least one of the crosscurrents at play in bipartisan debt talks. Luke Broadwater, BostonGlobe.com, 16 May 2023 In delaCruz’s view, the series does a good job of capturing the many crosscurrents that inspire volunteers from all backgrounds to give deeply of themselves. Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 15 May 2023 For Shah, the prevailing crosscurrents signal the worst outcome of all. Rob Wile, NBC News, 3 May 2023 Yet another class of Twitter users seemed caught between cultural crosscurrents on Thursday. Avi Selk, Washington Post, 21 Apr. 2023 When his roommate decided to move in October, Jackson chose to look again, this time seeking deals swirling in the crosscurrents of the real estate fallout. Andrew Khouristaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2023 The tension puts Biden in a difficult political predicament, caught between the crosscurrents of his longtime support for the Jewish state and an Israeli leader facing massive protests for purportedly assaulting the democratic values that Biden has put at the center of his foreign policy. Toluse Olorunnipa and John Hudson, Anchorage Daily News, 28 Mar. 2023 Advertisement The process culminates in BAM’s Harvey Theater in a somewhat bulky but altogether fascinating tragicomedy, exploring the political crosscurrents of the time. Peter Marks, Washington Post, 28 Feb. 2023 When Pujols wept while circling the bases with the crowd of 50,041 standing and howling in appreciation, when Pujols high-fived former Dodger Adrian Beltre in the first row after crossing the plate, Dodgers players and manager Dave Roberts were overcome by a crosscurrent of emotions. Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2022

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

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of crosscurrent was in 1598

Dictionary Entries Near crosscurrent

Cite this Entry

“Crosscurrent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crosscurrent. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.

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