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
• bony
• boney
• dead
• desolate
• hardscrabble
• impoverished
• infertile
• poor
• stark
• unfertile
• waste

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

Boosted by a three-homer game on Saturday and a two-run shot in Tuesday’s loss to the Rays, Rice has been the Yankees’ best hitter not named Juan Soto or Aaron Judge since replacing Anthony Rizzo, who was unproductive before fracturing his arm. —Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 10 July 2024

Starmer has vowed to cut waiting lists at public hospitals, boost subsidies for daycare and help Britain's relatively unproductive workforce re-skill for emerging industries. —Kim Hjelmgaard, USA TODAY, 2 July 2024

Studies have shown that over 70% of senior managers think meetings are unproductive and inefficient, with 92% of employees saying meetings are costly and a waste of time. —Byeleanor Pringle, Fortune, 24 June 2024

Or these silly little challenges just feel unproductive. —Jenna Ryu, SELF, 21 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1676, in the meaning defined above