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 of unproductive

• 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

Seventy percent of the additional cuts come from demonstration roles at unproductive department stores and freestanding channels, indicating just how much more digital beauty has become and how much Lauder is looking to avenues like Amazon and TikTok for growth. —Evan Clark, Footwear News, 1 May 2026

Attempts since then to resolve the strike have been unproductive. —Gene Maddaus, Variety, 28 Apr. 2026

Other than his walk, Hernandez has been particularly unproductive at Coors Field. —Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 19 Apr. 2026

Companies won’t need whole teams to coordinate in clunky, unproductive meetings; one AI with a few humans will get the job done cheaper and faster. —Solo Ceesay, Rolling Stone, 10 Apr. 2026

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