as in unsuccessful
not producing the desired result
harsh disciplinary measures that prove to be counterproductive
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Recent Examples of counterproductive
Campbell also pointed out that many law enforcement experts, including the Police Executive Research Forum, say the use of flash-bangs on demonstrators is usually counterproductive.
—
Graham Hurley, CNN Money, 20 Jan. 2026
What predicts success in one role often becomes irrelevant, or even counterproductive, in the next.
—Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
Surveys show that many smokers now believe vaping is as harmful as smoking — a belief that is demonstrably false and deeply counterproductive.
—Kevin Bardosh, Baltimore Sun, 18 Jan. 2026
But the plan would be counterproductive, even from a revenue-raising perspective.
—Mariana Trujillo, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for counterproductive
Graham Hurley, CNN Money, 20 Jan. 2026
What predicts success in one role often becomes irrelevant, or even counterproductive, in the next.
—Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
Surveys show that many smokers now believe vaping is as harmful as smoking — a belief that is demonstrably false and deeply counterproductive.
—Kevin Bardosh, Baltimore Sun, 18 Jan. 2026
But the plan would be counterproductive, even from a revenue-raising perspective.
—Mariana Trujillo, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for counterproductive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterproductive
Adjective
-
The Star-Telegram attempted to reach Atkins for comment, but was unsuccessful.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Feb. 2026
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Last year, the moderate Democrat took on a crowded field of candidates in an unsuccessful bid to become New York City mayor.—
Jesse Zanger,
CBS News,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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This fragmentation creates blind spots that contribute to adverse drug events, duplication of therapy and inefficient care and harms that ultimately drive up total health care costs.—
Sreedhar Potarazu,
Baltimore Sun,
7 Feb. 2026
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But both ways can be slow, expensive and inefficient.—
Eric Sullivan,
Scientific American,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The introductions of Ruben Dias and Rayan Cherki bolstered City, whereas Slot was slow to take off the ineffective Cody Gakpo, with Jones still waiting to be introduced when the visitors equalised.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
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Research consistently shows that competition from private schools encourages public schools to improve communication with families, replace ineffective staff and innovate instruction.—
Paul Vallas,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Counterproductive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterproductive. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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