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
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
On many of Seattle’s other unproductive runs, the operation just looks out of sync.
—
Michael-Shawn Dugar, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
On the other hand, Pribula often looked unsure of himself in the pocket, which led to unproductive passing plays.
—Quentin Corpuel, Kansas City Star, 28 Sep. 2025
Meanwhile, youth unemployment recently hit almost 19%, forcing authorities to keep unproductive firms running to avoid unrest.
—semafor.com, 22 Sep. 2025
The key lies in understanding the difference between unproductive friction (the logistical hurdles that bog students down) and productive friction (the cognitive struggle that is essential for building real knowledge and skills).
—Dave Tucker, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unproductive
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Michael-Shawn Dugar, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
On the other hand, Pribula often looked unsure of himself in the pocket, which led to unproductive passing plays.
—Quentin Corpuel, Kansas City Star, 28 Sep. 2025
Meanwhile, youth unemployment recently hit almost 19%, forcing authorities to keep unproductive firms running to avoid unrest.
—semafor.com, 22 Sep. 2025
The key lies in understanding the difference between unproductive friction (the logistical hurdles that bog students down) and productive friction (the cognitive struggle that is essential for building real knowledge and skills).
—Dave Tucker, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unproductive
Cite this Entry
“Unproductive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unproductive. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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