as in unsuccessful
not producing the desired result
harsh disciplinary measures that prove to be counterproductive
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Recent Examples of counterproductive
Sitting inside feels spiritually counterproductive.
—
Hannah Towey, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Feb. 2026
Top Tyler leaders haven’t been thrilled with Pappas either, replying to her letters by defending their work and characterizing her correspondence as counterproductive and at times, misleading or hyperbolic.
—A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 12 Feb. 2026
If addiction ends in reconnection, as Kennedy says, then dismissing interventions that create stability, trust, and continuity in people’s lives is counterproductive.
—Washington Post, 10 Feb. 2026
Dismissing the benefits of precious metals in this climate, then, could be both risky and counterproductive.
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for counterproductive
Hannah Towey, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Feb. 2026
Top Tyler leaders haven’t been thrilled with Pappas either, replying to her letters by defending their work and characterizing her correspondence as counterproductive and at times, misleading or hyperbolic.
—A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 12 Feb. 2026
If addiction ends in reconnection, as Kennedy says, then dismissing interventions that create stability, trust, and continuity in people’s lives is counterproductive.
—Washington Post, 10 Feb. 2026
Dismissing the benefits of precious metals in this climate, then, could be both risky and counterproductive.
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for counterproductive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterproductive
Adjective
-
Such a vote — which is bound to fail but would put senators on the record — differs from using a simple majority to change the Senate rules, a vote a senator could force after an unsuccessful vote to break a filibuster.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
19 Mar. 2026
-
After numerous rounds of antibiotics were unsuccessful, a decision was made to euthanize her, according to the zoo.—
Chase Hunter,
Mercury News,
19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Standard recycling is often inefficient, but the Edinburgh team, led by Professor Stephen Wallace, saw a goldmine of carbon hidden in that waste.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Herro was inefficient on Saturday, though, finishing with 10 points on 4-of-14 shooting from the field and 2-of-8 shooting on threes.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Arrests have proven to be ineffective at stopping drug use, instead heightening risk of overdose and death.—
Grey Gardner,
Oc Register,
15 Mar. 2026
-
What began as a minor irritation turned into a yearlong medical odyssey marked by the lack of a diagnosis, ineffective treatments, and compounding side effects—all while costs escalated.—
Harvard Business Review,
Harvard Business Review,
11 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Counterproductive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterproductive. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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