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
Even Bill Gates, a onetime stalwart champion of climate action, said this week that near-term emissions targets are a distraction at best and could even be counterproductive for human welfare.
—Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 30 Oct. 2025
What resulted is one of the most comic, counterproductive, and clumsy episodes in the long history of British efforts to deal with Ireland.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 29 Oct. 2025
Worse, the aluminum has a tendency to throw off fragments when struck, producing more debris, which is rather counterproductive.
—David Szondy
october 26, New Atlas, 26 Oct. 2025
Still, student editors argue the move to cut print is counterproductive since advertising revenue generated $11,000 in profit from three print editions this semester.
—Cate Charron, IndyStar, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterproductive
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 30 Oct. 2025
What resulted is one of the most comic, counterproductive, and clumsy episodes in the long history of British efforts to deal with Ireland.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 29 Oct. 2025
Worse, the aluminum has a tendency to throw off fragments when struck, producing more debris, which is rather counterproductive.
—David Szondy
october 26, New Atlas, 26 Oct. 2025
Still, student editors argue the move to cut print is counterproductive since advertising revenue generated $11,000 in profit from three print editions this semester.
—Cate Charron, IndyStar, 17 Oct. 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 4 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share