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

This highlights that unstructured venting can quickly pull conversations into unproductive loops. —Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025

Here's a detailed timeline of events, which shows the White House was aware of the pause in real time and Trump's decision to reverse the action -- following an unproductive phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin and a subsequent series of brutal Russian assaults on Ukraine. —Justin Fishel, ABC News, 9 July 2025

Now, more than ever, the interactions—sometimes bordering on unproductive conflict—between different generations, shaped by different educations, study paths and historical contexts, risk becoming a missed opportunity. —Davide Sartini, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025

An unproductive offense has been the biggest drag on the Padres’ attempts to challenge the Dodgers in the division over the past month. —Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 20 June 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