counterproductive

adjective

coun·​ter·​pro·​duc·​tive ˌkau̇n-tər-prə-ˈdək-tiv 

: tending to hinder the attainment of a desired goal

… violence as a means to achieve an end is counterproductive.

—W. E. Brock III

Synonyms of counterproductive

• unsuccessful
• inefficient
• ineffective
• inexpedient

Examples of counterproductive in a Sentence

His uncontrollable anger is very counterproductive to his attempt at saving his marriage.

harsh disciplinary measures that prove to be counterproductive

Recent Examples on the Web

Tech leaders have quietly backed Anthropic, saying that AI isn’t ready for some weapons and that strong-arming companies is counterproductive and antidemocratic. —Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026

That seems to be counterproductive. —David Remnick, New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2026

In July of last year Steyer sent out a tweet criticizing rent control for its deleterious and counterproductive effects. —Rafael Perez, Oc Register, 1 Mar. 2026

Strom added that the offering outreach to homeless people with the threat of booting them and throwing their belongings out is counterproductive. —Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 18 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1959, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for counterproductive

• photoconductive
• superconductive
• abductive
• conductive
• constructive
• deductive
• destructive
• inductive
• instructive
• obstructive
• productive
• reductive