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

The central argument is that teachers all over the country employ instructional methods and materials that were proved, long ago, to be not just ineffective but counterproductive. —David Owen, New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2025

This often results in a steaming effect that’s counterproductive to crisping/browning. —Darcy Lenz, Southern Living, 21 Dec. 2025

Maybe, but doing that would also be counterproductive to the primary mission of winning a championship this season. —Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 20 Dec. 2025

Liquidity cluster Wells Fargo added that most liquidity already clusters around the market open and close, making the idea of stretching trading hours even further counterproductive. —Yun Li, CNBC, 16 Dec. 2025

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