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 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
That appeared to put the Bureau of Prisons at cross-purposes with the executive order.
—Mattathias Schwartz, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2025
In an otherwise simplistic story of good versus evil, watching two good guys at cross-purposes is often fun.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 24 Jan. 2025
Attempting to follow Muslim customs, each family member is at cross-purposes.
—Armond White, National Review, 22 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for at cross-purposes
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Naomi Fry, The New Yorker, 15 Mar. 2025
That appeared to put the Bureau of Prisons at cross-purposes with the executive order.
—Mattathias Schwartz, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2025
In an otherwise simplistic story of good versus evil, watching two good guys at cross-purposes is often fun.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 24 Jan. 2025
Attempting to follow Muslim customs, each family member is at cross-purposes.
—Armond White, National Review, 22 Jan. 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 31 Mar. 2025.
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