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

Examples of cross-purpose in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This economic model is often at cross-purposes with environmental stewardship because the commodity has more value than the environmental resources. — Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 29 July 2026

The members of their tribe were running around the beach at cross-purposes, trying to set up camp—to set up a society. — Julie Beck, The Atlantic, 12 May 2026

In my experience, this approach can give organizations greater confidence that their frameworks are delivering security value and are not working at cross-purposes with each other. — Steve Durbin, Forbes.com, 11 May 2026

But as soon as one flagellar motor reverses direction and starts rotating clockwise, the bundle falls apart; the reverse-twirling filament unravels the braid and puts the cell’s flagellar motors at cross-purposes, kicking the cell around. — Quanta Magazine, 20 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1668, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for cross-purpose

• multipurpose
• purpose

Kids Definition

cross-purpose

noun

cross-pur·​pose

ˈkrȯ-ˈspər-pəs

: a purpose unintentionally contrary to someone else's purpose