crosscurrent
/ˈkrɔːsˌkɜːrənt/
noun
- A current of water or air that flows across the main current.
- Sailors must watch for crosscurrents that can push the boat off course.
- A sudden crosscurrent made the kayak spin sideways.
- The swimmer struggled against the strong crosscurrent near the riverbank.
- A conflicting or opposing tendency, opinion, or influence.
- Political crosscurrents made it hard to pass the new law.
- The committee faced crosscurrents of opinion between the older and younger members.
- There were crosscurrents of emotion in the room as the decision was announced.
Synonyms