NONPRODUCTIVE Synonyms: 35 Similar and Opposite Words

nonproductive

adjective

Definition of nonproductive

as in worthless

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of nonproductive North Dakota adopted a bill last year requiring a legislative council to study the feasibility of using nonproductive wells to generate geothermal power. — Maria Gallucci, Wired News, 16 May 2026 Returning nonproductive properties to the tax rolls, creating jobs and boosting the quality of life are only some of the benefits of redeveloping troubled properties. — Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 3 May 2026 Pruning also thins nonproductive stems, allowing light to reach the interior of the tree and ripen the fruit. — Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Dec. 2025 The key is refusing to engage in circular or baiting conversations, instead setting boundaries and exiting nonproductive conversations. — Angela Haupt, Time, 30 Oct. 2025 Course of trade in the oil industry often leaves the public on the hook for nonproductive well cleanup costs, including capping. — Andrew Leahey, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for nonproductive

Adjective

Inflation has reached absurd heights, the Lebanese pound is all but worthless, and the government shuts off the electricity for more than half of each day.

— Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2026
Therefore, at current depletion rates, most of Venezuela’s oil reserves are worthless.

— Steve H. Hanke, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of worthless

Adjective

Ranching is still difficult and often unprofitable work, especially for family operations.

— Max Saltman, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026
Cramer said Establishment Labs remains unprofitable eight years after going public, and its most recent quarterly loss was larger than Wall Street expected.

— Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of unprofitable

Adjective

Getting too high can be just as unproductive as getting too low.

— Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Supporters say shifting unproductive cropland to clean energy will help California meet its 100% renewable power goal, while farm groups warn of losing valuable agricultural land.

— Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of unproductive

Adjective

The business hired attorneys to appeal the county’s assessment, Cerny said, but were unsuccessful.

— Evgenia Anastasakos, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026
Alonso may have had an unsuccessful spell managing Real Madrid, but went unbeaten to win the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen in his second season of senior management.

— Art de Roché, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of unsuccessful

Adjective

Darth Vader sports useless tape recorder-style buttons on his chest plate.

— Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026
David Shnaiderov, who directs the Nuclear Quantum division at Quantum X Labs, pointed out that simulating particle transport is useless without a practical way to represent real physical shapes.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of useless

Adjective

Smith’s work on Good Will Hunting came immediately after an intervention planned by some friends — including Bolme, Garry, and Gust — that ended in an abortive rehab stint.

— Emily Palmer Heller, Vulture, 7 Sep. 2026
Primus could easily have been a blip, one of many abortive major label risks in a decade when the industry was swimming in cash.

— Sasha Geffen, Pitchfork, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of abortive

Adjective

On Saturday, Durant reaffirmed his stance that the question of his and other superstars’ effort was an unavailing narrative to explore every February.

— Devon Henderson, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2026
The position advanced by the states is legally unavailing as a matter of longstanding and well-established law.

— WSJ, WSJ, 25 July 2018

Definition of unavailing

Browse Nearby Words

nonproblems

nonproductive

nonprofessional

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“Nonproductive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nonproductive. Accessed 17 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of nonproductive

adjective

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