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
State and federal merger enforcement may also, however, work at cross-purposes.
—
Alden Abbott, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025
The two political rivals, who despised each other, worked at cross-purposes: Burr insisted on an insanity defense, while Hamilton wanted to find the real killer.
—Sandra Dallas, Denver Post, 18 May 2025
In team coaching, people leverage each other’s strengths instead of being territorial or working at cross-purposes.
—Andrew Deutscher, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Kate’s sales team and design team were working at cross-purposes.
—Rhea Wessel, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2024
Regular check-ins and a culture that encourages feedback keeps everyone in harmony, preventing talented individuals from working at cross-purposes.
—Ariel Katz, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024
Hitler’s Germany and Prime Minister Benito Mussolini’s Italy worked at cross-purposes in crises over Austria in 1934 and Ethiopia in 1935.
—Hal Brands, Foreign Affairs, 26 Jan. 2024
She's got her own motivations and delusions of grandeur, and the Forsaken often work at cross-purposes.
—Andrew Cunningham & Lee Hutchinson, Ars Technica, 22 Sep. 2023
Perhaps fittingly, then, the plan’s execution seems to be under a spell too, with everyone lost in an entanglement of sloppiness, cross-purposes and bad luck.
—Tom Gliatto, Peoplemag, 19 Aug. 2023
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Alden Abbott, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025
The two political rivals, who despised each other, worked at cross-purposes: Burr insisted on an insanity defense, while Hamilton wanted to find the real killer.
—Sandra Dallas, Denver Post, 18 May 2025
In team coaching, people leverage each other’s strengths instead of being territorial or working at cross-purposes.
—Andrew Deutscher, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Kate’s sales team and design team were working at cross-purposes.
—Rhea Wessel, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2024
Regular check-ins and a culture that encourages feedback keeps everyone in harmony, preventing talented individuals from working at cross-purposes.
—Ariel Katz, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024
Hitler’s Germany and Prime Minister Benito Mussolini’s Italy worked at cross-purposes in crises over Austria in 1934 and Ethiopia in 1935.
—Hal Brands, Foreign Affairs, 26 Jan. 2024
She's got her own motivations and delusions of grandeur, and the Forsaken often work at cross-purposes.
—Andrew Cunningham & Lee Hutchinson, Ars Technica, 22 Sep. 2023
Perhaps fittingly, then, the plan’s execution seems to be under a spell too, with everyone lost in an entanglement of sloppiness, cross-purposes and bad luck.
—Tom Gliatto, Peoplemag, 19 Aug. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Cross-purpose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cross-purpose. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
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