crosscurrent

noun

cross·​cur·​rent ˈkrȯs-ˌkər-ənt 

-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

Stocks are pulling back Thursday as several crosscurrents weigh on the market. — Jeff Marks, CNBC, 23 July 2026

Treading water The final season of Cal Poly swimming unfolded amid crosscurrents. — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 23 July 2026

Two of his House colleagues in New York just lost primaries to progressive challengers, an example of the tough crosscurrents in the Democratic Party. — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 29 June 2026

Paramount Skydance is hoping to close the deal by the end of September, which is ambitious given the crosscurrents in the marketplace. — Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 16 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for crosscurrent

• concurrent
• decurrent
• noncurrent
• recurrent
• countercurrent
• intercurrent
• overcurrent
• photocurrent
• undercurrent
• current