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

Those who do play with a single-hander, like Tsitsipas, Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti or Austria’s Lilli Tagger inspire a kind of fascination as to why anyone would go down a path that has become so unusual and supposedly counterproductive. — Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Hobart junior Miles White has learned to rein in his emotions, particularly when those can be counterproductive. — Michael Osipoff, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2026

While vitamin D is beneficial in older adults, taking higher doses (over 1000 IU) can be counterproductive and may be dangerous. — Emmanuella Ogbonna, HEALTH, 20 Aug. 2026

Getting diverted totally into something which is not true, counterproductive for the family. — ABC News, 16 Aug. 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