Why Tribal-class ships remained destroyers

Were the Tribal-class ships really cruisers despite being called destroyers?

No. Their layout and capabilities let them perform cruiser tasks, but their design mentality, fighting role, and normal employment remained those of destroyers.

The Tribals were cruiser-built destroyers: their appearance, gun power, and range of employment gave them some cruiser-like qualities without changing their underlying type. They could step up to presence work when required, and Ashanti's visit to the people for whom she was named is an especially effective example. The exchange shows why role overlap does not make naval classifications interchangeable.