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at cross purposes

cross-pur·pose
A a

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [kraws-pur-puh s, kros-]
    • /ˈkrɔsˈpɜr pəs, ˈkrɒs-/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [kraws-pur-puh s, kros-]
    • /ˈkrɔsˈpɜr pəs, ˈkrɒs-/

Definitions of at cross purposes words

  • noun at cross purposes an opposing or contrary purpose. 1
  • idioms at cross purposes at cross-purposes, in a way that involves or produces mutual misunderstanding or frustration, usually unintentionally. 1
See all 2 definitions of at cross purposes

Information block about the term

Origin of at cross purposes

First appearance:

before 1660
One of the 46% oldest English words
First recorded in 1660-70

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for At cross purposes

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
Full grammatical hierarchy of At cross purposes

at cross purposes popularity

A pretty common term. Usually people know it’s meaning, but prefer to use a more spread out synonym. About 32% of English native speakers know the meaning and use word.
According to our data about 66% of words is more used. This is a rare but used term. It occurs in the pages of specialized literature and in the speech of educated people.

at cross purposes usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for at cross purposes

adj at cross purposes

  • allergic — If you are allergic to something, you become ill or get a rash when you eat it, smell it, or touch it.
  • antipathetic — having or arousing a strong aversion
  • antithetical — Something that is antithetical to something else is the opposite of it and is unable to exist with it.
  • averse — If you say that you are not averse to something, you mean that you quite like it or quite want to do it.
  • clashing — to make a loud, harsh noise: The gears of the old car clashed and grated.
All 41 Synonyms of at cross purposes

Antonyms for at cross purposes

adj at cross purposes

  • assisting — to give support or aid to; help: Please assist him in moving the furniture.
  • compatible — If things, for example systems, ideas, and beliefs, are compatible, they work well together or can exist together successfully.
  • similar — having a likeness or resemblance, especially in a general way: two similar houses.
  • aiding — to provide support for or relief to; help: to aid the homeless victims of the fire.
  • helping — the act of helping; aid or assistance; relief or succor.
All 8 Antonyms of at cross purposes

See also

Matching words

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