1. conflicting or opposing forces, influences, or tendencies
Usage: often used figuratively
2. currents of water or air flowing in different directions
Usage: literal, physical sense

Examples

• The political crosscurrents in the region made negotiations difficult.
• Cultural crosscurrents shaped the immigrant community’s identity.
• The swimmer struggled against the dangerous crosscurrents in the river.
• Economic crosscurrents created uncertainty in the market.
• The pilot had to navigate through strong crosscurrents of wind.
• Social crosscurrents influenced the outcome of the election.
• The boat was caught in treacherous crosscurrents near the harbor.