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 born 1930
W. E. Brock born 1930Examples 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
Trump’s track record on promoting peace aside, experts cautioned that his intense efforts to obtain the peace prize are likely counterproductive.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2025
Others—such as an eagerness to engage someone in combat—work in the gym, ring, and battlefield but become counterproductive and even destructive outside of those contexts.
—Dan Brooks, The Atlantic, 2 Oct. 2025
Once again, the process is likely to be costly, counterproductive and completely unnecessary.
—Bloomberg Opinion, Twin Cities, 25 Sep. 2025
An argument, on the other hand, is counterproductive.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 24 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterproductive
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Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2025
Others—such as an eagerness to engage someone in combat—work in the gym, ring, and battlefield but become counterproductive and even destructive outside of those contexts.
—Dan Brooks, The Atlantic, 2 Oct. 2025
Once again, the process is likely to be costly, counterproductive and completely unnecessary.
—Bloomberg Opinion, Twin Cities, 25 Sep. 2025
An argument, on the other hand, is counterproductive.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 24 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterproductive
Cite this Entry
“Counterproductive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counterproductive. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
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