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
W. E. Brock IIIExamples 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
Administration officials singling out wind was counterproductive to ongoing bipartisan Congressional talks on reforming the federal permitting system for all forms of energy, Grumet said.
—Ella Nilsen, CNN Money, 7 May 2026
In some cases, attempts to diagnose and treat can be counterproductive.
—ABC News, 7 May 2026
Without proper direction, even brilliance can become counterproductive – another lesson leaders can keep in mind when managing their own flocks.
—Aditya Simha, The Conversation, 7 May 2026
This movement, known as critical legal studies, was associated with the political left, and its exponents, known as crits, loved to disparage liberal theorists’ devotion to the Constitution as naïve and counterproductive.
—Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for counterproductive
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Ella Nilsen, CNN Money, 7 May 2026
In some cases, attempts to diagnose and treat can be counterproductive.
—ABC News, 7 May 2026
Without proper direction, even brilliance can become counterproductive – another lesson leaders can keep in mind when managing their own flocks.
—Aditya Simha, The Conversation, 7 May 2026
This movement, known as critical legal studies, was associated with the political left, and its exponents, known as crits, loved to disparage liberal theorists’ devotion to the Constitution as naïve and counterproductive.
—Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for counterproductive
Cite this Entry
“Counterproductive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counterproductive. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
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