nonproductive

adjective non·pro·duc·tive \ ˌnän-prə-ˈdək-tiv \

Definition of nonproductive

:not productive: such as

a :failing to produce or yield :unproductive

a nonproductive oil well

b :not directly concerned with production

the nonproductive labor of clerks and inspectors

c of a cough :dry 3a

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nonproductiveness

noun

See nonproductive defined for kids

Recent Examples of nonproductive from the Web

Anything that was a prescription for more concern, like civil-defense exercise, was felt to be nonproductive …

— evan bush, The Seattle Times, "Is Seattle a target for a North Korean nuclear attack? Well, not quite yet, insiders say," 26 Apr. 2017
The economy has stalled because too much wealth is being generated in nonproductive activity, hoarded to preserve for the rich all the things government no longer provides.

— gideon lewis-kraus, New York Times, "Could Hillary Clinton Become the Champion of the 99 Percent?," 23 July 2016

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'nonproductive.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.