as in unsuccessful
not producing the desired result
harsh disciplinary measures that prove to be counterproductive
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Recent Examples of counterproductive
Moscow and Beijing separately denounced the move, portraying it as misguided and counterproductive.
—
Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 29 Aug. 2025
But don’t rob a bank, because that’s counterproductive.
—Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 28 Aug. 2025
For some people, particularly those building PCs and buying dedicated screens for monitoring PC components, requiring iCUE to run is counterproductive.
—Scharon Harding, ArsTechnica, 27 Aug. 2025
Entrepreneurs often feel overwhelmed by constant work, but this article argues that working harder is counterproductive.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterproductive
Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 29 Aug. 2025
But don’t rob a bank, because that’s counterproductive.
—Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 28 Aug. 2025
For some people, particularly those building PCs and buying dedicated screens for monitoring PC components, requiring iCUE to run is counterproductive.
—Scharon Harding, ArsTechnica, 27 Aug. 2025
Entrepreneurs often feel overwhelmed by constant work, but this article argues that working harder is counterproductive.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterproductive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterproductive
Adjective
-
While Hadden-Paton was unsuccessful in keeping his dapper suit, his costar, Hugh Bonneville, who plays Lord Grantham, confessed to Kelly Ripa and Michael Strahan on Live!—
Meredith Wilshere,
PEOPLE,
14 Sep. 2025
-
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reached out for comment but was unsuccessful.—
Natalie Eilbert,
jsonline.com,
14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Automating a Broken Process A common pitfall for tax teams is dropping AI into processes that are already complex or inefficient.—
Aleksandra Bal,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Lal said past leaders may have been onto something, but the all-at once change strategy was inefficient.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The American Psychological Association, American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and other medical associations have issued statements calling the practice harmful and ineffective at altering someone’s identity.—
Solcyré Burga,
Time,
10 Sep. 2025
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Companies are forced to place massive bets on drug targets that ultimately prove ineffective or unsafe.—
Miguel Llorca,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Counterproductive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterproductive. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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