as in unsuccessful
not producing the desired result
harsh disciplinary measures that prove to be counterproductive
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Recent Examples of counterproductive
Idaho representatives reject ‘counterproductive’ fix Some lawmakers on Monday dismissed the bill as a simple tax increase.
—
Mark Dee
march 25, Idaho Statesman, 25 Mar. 2026
Tech leaders have quietly backed Anthropic, saying that AI isn’t ready for some weapons and that strong-arming companies is counterproductive and antidemocratic.
—Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026
That seems to be counterproductive.
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2026
In July of last year Steyer sent out a tweet criticizing rent control for its deleterious and counterproductive effects.
—Rafael Perez, Oc Register, 1 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for counterproductive
Mark Dee
march 25, Idaho Statesman, 25 Mar. 2026
Tech leaders have quietly backed Anthropic, saying that AI isn’t ready for some weapons and that strong-arming companies is counterproductive and antidemocratic.
—Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026
That seems to be counterproductive.
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2026
In July of last year Steyer sent out a tweet criticizing rent control for its deleterious and counterproductive effects.
—Rafael Perez, Oc Register, 1 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for counterproductive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterproductive
Adjective
-
Life-saving measures were unsuccessful.—
Forum News Service,
Twin Cities,
9 Apr. 2026
-
During the most recent campaign and in a previous unsuccessful run for mayor, Laesch claimed Irvin prioritized government contracts or incentives to those who donated to his campaign, which Irvin consistently denied.—
R. Christian Smith,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Advocates say the system is not only inefficient but inhumane.—
Jim DeFede,
CBS News,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Seth Lugo salvages inefficient start Lugo didn’t have his best command Saturday.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
4 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The foursome was similarly ineffective keeping Betts from getting to her spots, unable to deter lobs over the top of post-ups in isolation.—
Sabreena Merchant,
New York Times,
6 Apr. 2026
-
During the pandemic, compounders charged exorbitant prices for ivermectin, even after the drug proved ineffective against COVID-19.—
Dhruv Khullar,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Counterproductive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterproductive. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
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