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

Synonyms

• feckless
• hamstrung
• ineffective
• ineffectual
• inefficacious
• inefficient
• 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

Or the studios may throw their hands up and turn their attention to SAG-AFTRA, though such a move would probably be counterproductive. —Ryan Faughnder, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2023

Stewart, in a letter to employees Friday posted on a company website focused on negotiations, suggested that Fain’s approach was counterproductive. —Jamie L. Lareau, USA TODAY, 14 Aug. 2023

England’s warehouse rave scene of the 1980s and ’90s, fueled by MDMA and born in part as a response to the unrestricted and discriminatory policing of parties, became a global phenomenon, despite violent and counterproductive attempts to restrict Molly’s circulation. —Federico Perelmuter, Washington Post, 10 Aug. 2023

Critics say limiting advanced math has been counterproductive. —Christopher Huffaker, BostonGlobe.com, 14 July 2023

Combined with an awkward pace that lingers far too long on some story beats while skipping over others entirely, the effect is counterproductive. —Alison Herman, Variety, 4 Aug. 2023

But the Aggies’ offensive coordinator in 2012, Kliff Kingsbury, told Netflix that the coaching staff essentially had to walk on eggshells around Manziel and that discipline would have been counterproductive. —Brad Townsend, Dallas News, 4 Aug. 2023

Depending on your lifestyle and workout schedule, Ellis says, limiting carbs too much can be counterproductive. —Greg Presto, Men's Health, 27 July 2023

But doing an employee engagement survey to alleviate that problem can be counterproductive. —Bypeter Vanham, Fortune, 20 July 2023

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Word History

First Known Use

1959, in the meaning defined above