as in unsuccessful
not producing the desired result
harsh disciplinary measures that prove to be counterproductive
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Recent Examples of counterproductive
The focus on war is counterproductive because the major issues are not military in nature.
—
David C. Kang, Foreign Affairs, 19 Sep. 2025
Some research theorizes that putting too many superstars on a team can be counterproductive.
—Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 19 Sep. 2025
That path is counterproductive.
—Yuriy Boyechko, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Today’s resolution is yet another counterproductive gesture that only rewards Hamas, drags out the war and undercuts the very diplomatic efforts to free the hostages and end the suffering in Gaza.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterproductive
David C. Kang, Foreign Affairs, 19 Sep. 2025
Some research theorizes that putting too many superstars on a team can be counterproductive.
—Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 19 Sep. 2025
That path is counterproductive.
—Yuriy Boyechko, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Today’s resolution is yet another counterproductive gesture that only rewards Hamas, drags out the war and undercuts the very diplomatic efforts to free the hostages and end the suffering in Gaza.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterproductive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterproductive
Adjective
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The pose Harris struck and held through her unsuccessful 2024 campaign for the White House is called the good soldier.—
Jeremy Lott,
The Washington Examiner,
3 Oct. 2025
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Now, after years of mostly unsuccessful efforts to eliminate windows from cabins, one luxury jet maker appears to be on the verge of doing just that.—
Mack DeGeurin,
Popular Science,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Prolonged drought, climate change and inefficient irrigation practices have accelerated the depletion of rivers, lakes and aquifers, while overuse in urban centers has intensified land subsidence and infrastructure strain.—
Amir Daftari,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Oct. 2025
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If the same flight path were imposed on travel—Kenya to New York to Germany—we’d call it inefficient design.—
Chris Maurice,
Fortune,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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What’s at stake here is whether states should endorse practices that every major medical and mental-health association has already disavowed as dangerous and ineffective.—
Timothy Schraeder Rodriguez,
Time,
8 Oct. 2025
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Miller and Panarin ineffective The Rangers entered opening night with their full ensemble, but the health of their two top forwards came down to the wire.—
Vincent Z. Mercogliano,
New York Times,
8 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Counterproductive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterproductive. Accessed 11 Oct. 2025.
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