as in unsuccessful
not producing the desired result
harsh disciplinary measures that prove to be counterproductive
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Recent Examples of counterproductive
Musk, whose businesses rely heavily on international supply chains affected by the tariffs, has called these moves economically counterproductive.
—
Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
With the Chinese government’s close ties to both exhibitors and property developers, implementing policies that could damage theater attendance seems counterproductive to Beijing’s economic interests.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 8 Apr. 2025
Now, a new study may shed light on why consuming too much of the artificial sweetener sucralose could be counterproductive.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 29 Mar. 2025
Fighting this foreign free riding is critically important -- but not all methods are equally effective, and some reforms under consideration may even be counterproductive.
—Tomas J. Philipson, National Review, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterproductive
Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
With the Chinese government’s close ties to both exhibitors and property developers, implementing policies that could damage theater attendance seems counterproductive to Beijing’s economic interests.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 8 Apr. 2025
Now, a new study may shed light on why consuming too much of the artificial sweetener sucralose could be counterproductive.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 29 Mar. 2025
Fighting this foreign free riding is critically important -- but not all methods are equally effective, and some reforms under consideration may even be counterproductive.
—Tomas J. Philipson, National Review, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterproductive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterproductive
Adjective
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But the Supreme Court denied the court order and requests to President Donald Trump from family, supporters and her attorney were unsuccessful.—
Nicole Acosta,
People.com,
19 Apr. 2025
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In 1945, an attempt was made to identify the unknown remains, but the effort was unsuccessful, the DPAA said.—
Kerry Breen,
CBS News,
18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Hardware orders in late March reached new records, indicating operators are swapping out inefficient rigs rather than capitulating.—
Dave Birnbaum,
Forbes.com,
21 Apr. 2025
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More importantly, Brunson is coming off a 34-point night in Game 1 despite a rare inefficient shooting night.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The White House takes aim at the Biden administration and Democrats’ handling of the pandemic, arguing lockdowns were detrimental, masks were ineffective, and the 6-foot distance rule was arbitrarily made up by Fauci.—
Elaine Mallon,
The Washington Examiner,
18 Apr. 2025
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If both avoidance and OTC medicines are ineffective, an allergist may suggest exposure therapy in the form of shots, which help people become less sensitive to their allergy triggers over time.—
Sarah Cottone,
Health,
16 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Counterproductive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterproductive. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
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