at cross-purposes
idiom
: in a way that causes confusion or failure because people are working or talking with different goals or purposes
We'll never succeed together if we continue to work at cross-purposes (with each other).
It became clear that they were talking at cross-purposes.
Examples of at cross-purposes in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The two have been at cross-purposes for years, ignoring their hearts for a litany of reasons.
—
EW.com, 28 Aug. 2025
The Fed’s Mandate However, Trump’s criticism is largely at cross-purposes with the Fed’s mandate.
—Simon Moore, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
Over the years, these groups have worked together and at cross-purposes, too, driven by competing visions of history.
—E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 16 June 2025
The fact that the session is filmed for consumption by the very public Alec claims to want to avoid does seem at cross-purposes with his expressed desire.
—Naomi Fry, The New Yorker, 15 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for at cross-purposes
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
EW.com, 28 Aug. 2025
The Fed’s Mandate However, Trump’s criticism is largely at cross-purposes with the Fed’s mandate.
—Simon Moore, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
Over the years, these groups have worked together and at cross-purposes, too, driven by competing visions of history.
—E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 16 June 2025
The fact that the session is filmed for consumption by the very public Alec claims to want to avoid does seem at cross-purposes with his expressed desire.
—Naomi Fry, The New Yorker, 15 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for at cross-purposes
Cite this Entry
“At cross-purposes.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/at%20cross-purposes. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share