unproductive

adjective

un·​pro·​duc·​tive ˌən-prə-ˈdək-tiv 

-prō-

: not effective in bringing something about : not yielding results, benefits, or profits : not productive

unproductive meetings

unproductive strategies

unproductive workers

Synonyms

• barren
• desolate
• impoverished
• poor
• waste
• bleak

Examples of unproductive in a Sentence

crop rotation had prevented the farmland from becoming unproductive

her attempts to write a novel have been unproductive

Recent Examples on the Web

Play can look silly or unproductive — that's the point. —Cas Holman, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2025

An undisciplined, unproductive outing against the Jets in London at least momentarily provided reason to hit the pause button. —Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 17 Oct. 2025

Very cold temperatures, heavy snow or ice, pests, and diseases can leave you with damaged or unproductive plants the next year. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Oct. 2025

Over the years, despite concerns about her behavior and her parents’ pleas to get help, Alice’s brushes with health-care professionals are unproductive until she is institutionalized. —Jasmine Vojdani, Vulture, 7 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1676, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unproductive

• deconstructive
• nondestructive
• nonproductive
• reconstructive
• reproductive
• abductive
• conductive
• constructive
• deductive
• destructive
• inductive
• instructive