cross-purpose

[ kraws-pur-puhs, kros- ]

/ ˈkrɔsˈpɜr pəs, ˈkrɒs- /

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See synonyms for: cross-purpose / cross-purposes on Thesaurus.com

noun

an opposing or contrary purpose.

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Idioms for cross-purpose

at cross-purposes, in a way that involves or produces mutual misunderstanding or frustration, usually unintentionally.

Origin of cross-purpose

First recorded in 1660–70

Words nearby cross-purpose

cross-post, cross-posting, cross press, cross product, cross protection, cross-purpose, cross-question, crossrail, cross ratio, cross-react, cross-reacting agglutinin

Example sentences from the Web for cross-purpose

The Via Dolorosa ends at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and is marked by nine stations of the cross.
Oops! Jesus’ Last Steps Are in the Wrong Place|Candida Moss|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
If they were meaningful, we might have realized it before—surely one of these kids wore a cross, or a yarmulke, or a hijab?
Harry Potter and the Torah of Terror|Candida Moss, Joel Baden|January 4, 2015|DAILY BEAST
By setting no goals, the player must find their own purpose.
Lost For Thousands of Strokes: 'Desert Golfing' Is 'Angry Birds' as Modern Art|Alec Kubas-Meyer|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST
They were born in 51 countries and speak 59 foreign languages, but they seemed bound by a single purpose and resolve.
Cop Families Boo De Blasio at NYPD Graduation|Michael Daly|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST

The reason: activist government and unionized government often work at cross purposes.
How Public Sector Unions Divide the Democrats|Daniel DiSalvo|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Some were even re-arrested for the same nefarious purpose, and the daily papers published their names on each occasion.
The Philippine Islands|John Foreman
I called out several times, as loud as I could raise my voice, but all to no purpose.
Gulliver's Travels|Jonathan Swift
In cross-section the burrows varied from round (three inches in diameter) to oval (three inches high and four inches wide).
Summer Birds From the Yucatan Peninsula|Erwin E. Klaas
The emperor Nicholas of Russia declared, by ukase, his purpose to assist Austria.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell
I cannot believe that God would think it necessary to come on earth as a man, and die on the Cross.
God and my Neighbour|Robert Blatchford

British Dictionary definitions for cross-purpose

cross-purpose

noun

a contrary aim or purpose

at cross-purposes conflicting; opposed; disagreeing

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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cross-purpose

noun

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Idioms for cross-purpose

Origin of cross-purpose

Words nearby cross-purpose

Example sentences from the Web for cross-purpose

British Dictionary definitions for cross-purpose

noun

MEANINGS

WORD GAMES

LEARN

WRITING

WORD OF THE DAY

cross-purpose

noun

QUIZZES

QUIZ YOURSELF ON AFFECT VS. EFFECT!

Idioms for cross-purpose

Origin of cross-purpose

Words nearby cross-purpose

Words related to cross-purpose

Example sentences from the Web for cross-purpose

British Dictionary definitions for cross-purpose

noun