Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
×

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

Thesaurus

counterproductive

adjective

Synonyms and Antonyms of counterproductive

not producing the desired result
  • harsh disciplinary measures that prove to be counterproductive
Synonyms of counterproductive

feckless, hamstrung, ineffective, ineffectual, inefficacious, inefficient, inexpedient
Words Related to counterproductive

abortive, bootless, fruitless, futile, nonproductive, pointless, profitless, unavailing, unproductive, unprofitable, unsuccessful, useless, worthless
Near Antonyms of counterproductive

availing, beneficial, helpful, productive, profitable, successful, useful, worthwhile
Antonyms of counterproductive

effective, effectual, efficacious, efficient, expedient, operant, ultraefficient

Learn More about counterproductive

  1. Dictionary: Definition of counterproductive Spanish Central: Translation of counterproductive Nglish: Translation of counterproductive for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of counterproductive for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up counterproductive? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

headlong

play

without deliberation, pause, or delay

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. lowlife 'a person of low moral character'

  2. kakistocracy 'government by the worst people'

  3. slimeball 'a morally repulsive or odious person'

  4. salacious 'arousing or appealing to sexual desire'

  5. oligarch 'government in which a small group exercises control'

SEE ALL

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

alt-5ad77fad37d22
What the #@*% Is a ‘Grawlix?’

We can thank Beetle Bailey.

alt-5ad76a1542e73
'Altho' vs. 'Although'

Altho doesn't get much love.

alt-5ad635a571736
A Brief History of 'Potshot'

Duck, or you might be dinner

alt-5ad5fb45b0494
What Is a 'Thirst Trap'?

A tall drink of water

Ask the Editors

image1760257654
2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

How we chose 'feminism'

video-title-words-of-the-year-1066
Words of the Year: 1066

Or, Why Pig Meat is Called 'Pork' and Cow Meat is Called 'Beef'

video-literally
Literally

How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.

video-his-or-her
Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice?

The awkward case of 'his or her'

Word Games

image1926873504
Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

Test your knowledge of strange human behaviors.

Take the quiz
cats-on-impossible-timber
More Confusing Words—Quiz

How many of these commonly confused words do you know?

Take the quiz
Name That Thing
Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

Take the quiz
Word Winder's CrossWinder
Word Winder's CrossWinder

A game of winding words.

Play the game